• Katie Lou Samuelson, Seattle Storm forward, is out for the season with a torn ACL in her right knee.
• The Storm are facing a series of ACL injuries, with Jordan Horston and Nika Muhl also sidelined.
• Samuelson, a former No. 4 draft pick and UConn national champion, signed with the Storm in February.

Seattle Storm forward Katie Lou Samuelson is expected to miss the entire WNBA season after tearing the ACL in her right knee during practice. This is a significant blow to the Storm, who are already missing two other players, Jordan Horston and Nika Muhl, due to ACL injuries. Samuelson, a seasoned player with experience across multiple WNBA teams, signed with the Storm in February and was anticipated to contribute to their season.

• What: Katie Lou Samuelson suffered a torn ACL in her right knee during practice, leading to her expected absence for the entire WNBA season.
• Who: Katie Lou Samuelson (Seattle Storm forward), Jordan Horston (Seattle Storm guard), Nika Muhl (Seattle Storm guard), Jackie Young (Las Vegas Aces).
• When: Samuelson's injury occurred in practice on Thursday; the team announced it on Saturday, May 3, 2025. Horston's injury occurred in February and Muhl's injury happened in October.
• Where: Seattle, Washington (Samuelson's injury and team location); Turkey (Muhl's injury); Nashville, Tennessee (Horston's injury).

The loss of Katie Lou Samuelson to an ACL injury significantly impacts the Seattle Storm's roster. Already facing ACL injuries to Jordan Horston and Nika Muhl, the team's depth is being tested early in the season. Samuelson's experience and scoring ability, demonstrated in her best season with the Sparks in 2022, would have been valuable to the Storm. Her absence further complicates the team's strategy and puts added pressure on other players to step up.

Katie Lou Samuelson's season-ending ACL injury is a significant blow to both her career and the Seattle Storm's aspirations. This setback, compounded by similar injuries to Jordan Horston and Nika Mühl, drastically impacts the team's depth and alters their strategic direction for the 2025 WNBA season. The Storm, who were predicted to be strong contenders with the additions of Skylar Diggins-Smith and Nneka Ogwumike, now face considerable challenges in replacing Samuelson's expected contributions as a versatile forward and three-point threat. The team will need to rely on veteran leadership and emerging talents, including rookies, to compensate for the absence of these key players. This situation may also force the coaching staff to explore alternative roster combinations and strategies, potentially placing greater emphasis on the roles of players like Dominique Malonga and Skylar Diggins-Smith. Samuelson's injury might potentially end her career, adding a layer of disappointment given her previous struggles to return to form after maternity leave. Overcoming these challenges will require resilience and adaptability from the Storm as they navigate a season filled with unforeseen obstacles.