Key Takeaways
- Ezi Magbegor suffered a facial fracture during a July 9 game against the Atlanta Dream after an inadvertent elbow to the face while contesting a rebound.
- She was listed as “out, facial injury” for the July 13 matchup versus the Washington Mystics, and Storm head coach Sonia Raman confirmed the injury, noting Magbegor will be reevaluated in the next couple of weeks.
- The facial injury comes just four games into Magbegor’s return from a right‑foot injury that sidelined her for the first 20 games of the 2026 WNBA season.
- In her limited 2026 debut (July 2 vs. Phoenix) she contributed eight points, three assists and a steal in 17 minutes; across four games this season she averages 3.5 points, four rebounds and one assist.
- Magbegor’s absence removes a versatile front‑court option for the Storm, affecting rebounding, interior defense, and spacing as Seattle navigates a competitive stretch of the schedule.
- The Storm medical staff will continue to monitor her recovery, with a timeline for return contingent on healing of the facial bone and clearance from team physicians.
On July 13, 2026, the Seattle Storm announced that forward Ezi Magbegor would miss the upcoming game against the Washington Mystics due to a facial injury. The designation “out, facial injury” appeared on the team’s injury report earlier that day, and head coach Sonia Raman later confirmed that Magbegor had sustained a broken bone in her face. Raman indicated that the forward would be reevaluated in the next couple of weeks, leaving her availability uncertain for the immediate future.
The injury originated during Seattle’s July 9 contest against the Atlanta Dream. Early in the second quarter, Magbegor was battling for a rebound against Dream center Madina Okot when she received an inadvertent elbow to the face. The impact forced her to leave the game after only eight minutes of play. In that brief stint she recorded two points and five rebounds before being ruled out for the remainder of the match. Coach Raman expressed concern after the game, stating, “Ezi got hit in the face. We don’t have an update now, but we’re evaluating her.”
Magbegor’s facial setback follows a challenging start to her 2026 season. In April, while representing Australia at the FIBA Basketball World Cup Qualifiers in Istanbul, she suffered a right‑foot injury that kept her out of the first 20 WNBA games. She made her season debut on July 2 against the Phoenix Mercury, logging eight points, three assists, and a steal in 17 minutes. Over the four games she has appeared in this year, Magbegor averages 3.5 points, four rebounds, and one assist per contest.
The Storm’s loss of Magbegor is notable given her role as a versatile forward capable of stretching the floor, crashing the boards, and providing defensive presence in the paint. Her ability to contribute both inside and on the perimeter adds depth to Seattle’s front‑court rotation, especially as the team seeks to maintain momentum in the middle of the season. With her sidelined, the Storm will likely rely more heavily on other forwards and centers to absorb rebounding duties and interior defense, potentially altering lineups and defensive schemes.
Looking ahead, the Storm’s medical and coaching staff will prioritize Magbegor’s health, ensuring the facial fracture heals properly before clearing her for full participation. The reevaluation window of “the next couple of weeks” suggests a cautious approach, aiming to prevent any setbacks that could prolong her absence. Fans and analysts will be watching for updates on her condition, hoping for a swift recovery that allows her to rejoin the lineup and help Seattle pursue its postseason aspirations.