Storm enter Fire rematch healthier than June 17 loss

The Seattle Storm host the Portland Fire on July 4 in a fire storm rematch at Climate Pledge Arena. Since Portland's 94-89 win on June 17, Seattle is healthier with Ezi Magbegor and Jordan Horston back, while the Fire carry a three-game skid and may miss Karlie Samuelson.

Key Takeaways

• The Storm enter Saturday's Fire-Storm rematch healthier than they were on June 17, when Portland won 94-89.
• Ezi Magbegor and Jordan Horston have returned from injury, and Seattle's young core is meshing better.
• Portland is on a three-game losing streak and has ruled out guard Karlie Samuelson with a finger injury.
• Tip-off is 9 p.m. ET at Climate Pledge Arena, with local TV and Prime Video streaming options.
• Seattle has ruled out guard Taina Mair for coach's decision as her developmental contract is managed.

Why does this Fire-Storm rematch matter more than the June 17 game?

When the Portland Fire and Seattle Storm last met on June 17, Portland walked out with a 94-89 victory. The Fire improved to 8-12 on the season, while the Storm dropped to 5-16. That first meeting set the tone for a growing Northwest WNBA rivalry between the expansion Fire and a Storm team still searching for consistency.

According to The Seattle Times, Seattle will host the rematch on Saturday night looking quite different from that earlier matchup a little over two weeks ago. The most important shift is health. Since June 17, the Storm have had Ezi Magbegor and Jordan Horston return from injury.

That matters because Seattle enters this Fire-Storm meeting with key players back who were unavailable before. Now, with that rotation support and young stars continuing to develop, Seattle has a clearer path to test whether it can compete with a Fire team that already proved it can win this matchup.

What changed for Seattle since the first Fire-Storm matchup?

Health is the headline, but it is not the whole story. The Seattle Times reports that Seattle has also seen its young stars continue to develop and begin to mesh better with each other. That growth could be just as important as getting Magbegor and Horston back on the floor.

Magbegor herself pointed to that progress after the Storm's loss to the Phoenix Mercury on Thursday. She praised Awa Fam for being comfortable and consistent in recent minutes, calling her a big offensive and defensive presence. Magbegor added that it has been fun to see Fam settle into the WNBA.

For a Storm team trying to turn a difficult season around, that kind of internal development is a tangible sign of progress. Seattle may still be struggling in the standings, but this rematch gives the Storm a chance to show how much they have changed since Portland's June win.

Who is out for Portland Fire and Seattle Storm?

Injuries and roster management could shape the second Fire-Storm meeting as much as momentum. Yahoo Sports reports that the Fire will try to bounce back and end their three-game losing streak Saturday against a struggling Storm team. Portland, however, may be without one of its key players.

Portland has ruled out Karlie Samuelson because of a left middle finger injury. It will be her third consecutive missed game. That is a notable absence for a Fire team that needs depth while trying to end its skid.

On Seattle's side, the Storm have ruled out guard Taina Mair for coach's decision. Yahoo Sports notes the team continues to manage her eligibility because of her developmental contract. Even with Magbegor and Horston back, roster availability still matters in a game where both teams need a win.

How can you watch Fire vs Storm on July 4?

If you are trying to catch the Fire-Storm rematch without overspending on cable, the viewing options are clearer than they might seem. USA Today lists tip-off at 9 p.m. ET on Saturday, July 4, at Climate Pledge Arena in Seattle.

Local broadcast options include KUNS-CW Seattle, KOMO 4, and Rose City Sportsnet. The game will also stream on Amazon Prime Video Seattle. USA Today notes that the 2026 WNBA season is unfolding under a new collective bargaining agreement and a new media rights deal, which can make it harder to know where each game airs from night to night.

That makes this a practical moment to compare streaming bundles against traditional TV packages. For more ways to trim entertainment bills without missing live sports, browse our Wealth Hacks & Passive Income coverage. Checking local listings before tip-off remains the safest move if you want to avoid last-minute subscription surprises.

What should fans expect from Portland on Saturday night?

Portland arrives in Seattle with something to prove. Yahoo Sports notes the Fire are trying to snap a three-game losing streak, which adds urgency to an already meaningful rematch. The expansion club already beat Seattle in June, but recent results show Portland still has work to do.

Seattle, meanwhile, gets a home crowd and a healthier roster than it had in the first matchup. The Storm still carry a 5-16 record, and Portland sits at 8-12, so neither team is where it wants to be in the standings. Even so, Northwest matchups tend to draw extra attention, and this one has a clear storyline: can Seattle answer Portland's June win with a fuller roster?

With Samuelson sidelined and Mair out for Seattle, role players on both benches could decide the game. For fans tracking the Fire-Storm rivalry in its early stages, Saturday night is less about playoff positioning and more about whether Seattle's improved health can finally translate into a result against a Portland team that already knows how to beat them.