Storm squanders big lead, holds on to beat streaking Dream 80-78 and end 6-game skid

VANCOUVER, British Columbia (AP) — Skylar Diggins had 21 points and 11 assists and the Seattle Storm hung on to beat the Atlanta Dream 80-78 to end a six-game skid on Friday night at Rogers Arena in the first WNBA regular-season game outside of the United States.

Nneka Ogwumike scored 15 points, Brittney Sykes added 13 and Dominique Malonga had 12 points and eight rebounds as the Storm (17-17) squandered a 15-point lead before snapping Atlanta's six-game win streak.

Rhyne Howard scored 21 points and Brionna Jones had 18 points and 10 rebounds for Atlanta (21-12).

The Storm led 60-45 with 3:25 left in the third quarter. Erica Wheeler, with a second left in the quarter, threw and inbounds pass to Diggins for a 3-pointer as time expired to give the Storm a 67-55 lead.

But Seattle went scoreless for nearly five minutes to open the fourth and Nia Coffey made a layup that gave Atlanta a 71-69 lead with 4:21 to play.

Howard, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2021 draft, hit a 3-pointer in the first quarter to break the Dream's career record for made 3s with 326. Tiffany Hayes (325) previously held the record.

The Dream, who went into the game averaging 9.6 made 3s per game, hit 2 of 13 from behind the arc.

Jordin Canada (hamstring) did not play for Atlanta.

Howard scored 25 points Wednesday to help the Dream beat the Storm 85-75 in Seattle.

The Storm concludes a three-game home stand Sunday against Phoenix. The Dream play at Golden State on Sunday.

AP WNBA: https://apnews.com/hub/WNBA

Atlanta Dream's Rhyne Howard (10) celebrates with teammates after scoring against the Seattle Storm during the first half of a WNBA basketball game in Vancouver, British Columbia, on Friday, Aug. 15, 2025. (Ethan Cairns/The Canadian Press via AP)

Seattle Storm's Dominique Malonga (14) shoots as Atlanta Dream's Naz Hillmon (00) defends during the first half of a WNBA basketball game in Vancouver, British Columbia, on Friday, Aug. 15, 2025. (Ethan Cairns/The Canadian Press via AP)

Seattle Storm's Dominique Malonga (14) lays up as Atlanta Dream's Brittney Griner (42) defends during the first half of a WNBA basketball game in Vancouver, British Columbia, on Friday, Aug. 15, 2025. (Ethan Cairns/The Canadian Press via AP)

Seattle Storm's Brittney Sykes (20) drives past Atlanta Dream's Allisha Gray (15) during the first half of a WNBA basketball game in Vancouver, British Columbia, on Friday, Aug. 15, 2025. (Ethan Cairns/The Canadian Press via AP)

DENVER (AP) — Versatile infielder/outfielder Willi Castro and the Colorado Rockies agreed to a $12.8 million, two-year deal Thursday, a person familiar with the negotiations told The Associated Press.

The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the agreement had not been announced.

Castro spent last season with the Minnesota Twins and Chicago Cubs, where he hit a combined .226 with 11 homers and 33 RBIs. He played all three outfield spots last season in addition to seeing time at third and shortstop. He even pitched an inning while with the Twins.

The 28-year-old Castro made his major league debut on Aug. 24, 2019, while with Detroit. He spent four seasons with the Tigers before joining the Twins, where he was an All-Star in 2024. He was traded to the Cubs last July.

Earlier in the day, the Rockies finalized the signing of right-handed starter Michael Lorenzen to an $8 million, one-year contract. The deal includes a $9 million club option for 2027. Right-hander Bradley Blalock was designated for assignment to open a roster spot.

AP MLB: https://apnews.com/mlb

FILE - Chicago Cubs' Willi Castro (1) runs the bases after hitting a two-run home run during the fourth inning of a baseball game against the Washington Nationals, Sept. 5, 2025, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Erin Hooley, File)