Veteran forward returns to Storm on hardship contract

The Seattle Storm brought back one of their former players to help their ailing frontcourt, signing veteran forward Joyner Holmes to a hardship contract on Friday.

The Storm are dealing with injures to three key members of their front line. Forwards Ezi Magbegor (right foot) and Katie Lou Samuelson (right knee) have yet to play this season. Center Dominque Malonga (concussion) was also ruled out for Friday night’s home game against the Connecticut Sun.

Additionally, Seattle has been without Spanish center Awa Fam, the third overall pick in the 2026 draft. Fam arrived at the team’s practice facility Friday, but it’s unclear when she will make her debut.

Holmes, 28, appeared in 56 games across the 2023 and ’24 seasons with the Storm. She averaged 3.1 points and 2.1 rebounds over 9.4 minutes per game.

The 6-foot-3 forward appeared in six games with the Las Vegas Aces last season, averaging 1.2 points and 1.0 rebounds.

In 117 games over six WNBA seasons with the Storm, Aces, Sun, New York Liberty and Los Angeles Sparks, Holmes has averaged 2.7 points and 2.0 rebounds while shooting 35.9% from the field.

Holmes was originally a Storm draft pick, taken in the second round (19th overall) out of the University of Texas in 2020.

Seattle entered Friday with a 1-4 record.

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