The Seattle Storm (12-9) host the Washington Mystics (13-6) in Friday’s only WNBA game. It will be a match between two of the WNBA’s top teams and a rematch of last year’s WNBA Finals.

Washington heads into tonight’s game on a four-game winning streak and begins a three-game road trip after a close 99-93 win over the Phoenix Mercury on Tuesday. Elena Delle Donne was named the WNBA’s Eastern Conference Player of the Month and scored a season-high 33 points in her last game. In the same game, Kristi Toliver added 25 points.

The Storm are playing in their first game since the All-Star break. On July 23, the Storm finished on the wrong side of a 79-62 loss to the Las Vegas Aces. Jewell Loyd will play her third game since returning from the right ankle injury she suffered in June. The full week of rest following All-Star weekend should help her to return to form. Natasha Howard* had double-doubles in each of her last two games. However, she also shot a combined 10-of-34 and is poised to have a more efficient performance this time out.

Game information

When: Friday ,Aug. 2, at 10 p.m. ET

Where: Angel of the Winds Arena, Everett, WA

How to watch: NBA TV, JoeTV, Monumental, NBA TV Canada

Keys to the matchup: Howard had fits getting into a rhythm against Liz Cambage and A’ja Wilson in the teams’ previous meetings. Tonight, she will match up against skilled defenders Emma Meesseman and LaToya Sanders who also are known for their finesse. If Howard can get going early, though, her performance could swing the game in the Storm’s favor.

Swish Appeal is aware of the domestic violence allegations against Natasha Howard. You can find more information here: https://theathletic.com/1078202/2019/07/16/is-storm-wnbas-response-to-domestic-violence-claims-against-natasha-howard-enough/