Seattle Storm Forward Katie Lou Samuelson Out for Season with ACL Injury

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Seattle Storm forward Katie Lou Samuelson is expected to miss the entire 2025 WNBA season after tearing the ACL in her right knee during a team practice on Thursday. The Storm officially announced her injury on Saturday, dealing another setback to a team already facing multiple roster challenges due to similar injuries. Samuelson, a former standout at the University of Connecticut and the No. 4 overall pick in the 2019 WNBA Draft, had rejoined the Storm in February. She previously played for Seattle during the 2021 season. Her professional journey has taken her through multiple teams, including Chicago, Dallas, Los Angeles, and Indiana. She missed the 2023 season while on maternity leave and averaged 4.3 points and 2.3 rebounds with the Indiana Fever in 2024. Samuelson's most productive season came in 2022 with the Los Angeles Sparks, where she posted career-high averages of 9.7 points, 3.0 rebounds, and 1.9 assists per game.This injury marks a difficult turn in her career, especially after her attempt to return to peak form following maternity leave. Samuelson also missed the opportunity to compete in the 2021 Tokyo Olympics as part of the United States 3x3 team due to a positive COVID-19 test. She was replaced on the roster by Jackie Young of the Las Vegas Aces.

Unfortunately for the Storm, Samuelson’s injury is not an isolated case. Guards Jordan Horston and Nika Muhl will also miss the 2025 season due to ACL injuries sustained while playing in other leagues—Horston in Athletes Unlimited and Muhl while competing overseas in Turkey. These setbacks put pressure on the Storm’s roster and could impact their early-season performance, despite what some have called the "most talented" lineup in franchise history. As Seattle enters the 2025 season with a depleted lineup, the team will need to rely heavily on its remaining players to maintain competitiveness in an increasingly deep and talented WNBA landscape.