Get ready for a basketball showdown that’s been 18 years in the making—the Portland-Seattle rivalry is roaring back to the WNBA, and it’s bringing a history of fierce competition with it. But here’s where it gets controversial: Is this rekindled rivalry just a nostalgia trip, or does it signal a new era of dominance for one of these cities? Let’s dive into the story and find out.
In 2026, the Portland Fire will make their long-awaited return to the WNBA, reigniting a storied rivalry with the Seattle Storm that’s been dormant since the SuperSonics left Seattle to become the Oklahoma City Thunder. Since then, the only place you’d find Portland and Seattle battling it out was on the soccer pitch, thanks to the Timbers/Sounders and Thorns/Reign matchups. But basketball fans, rejoice—the wait is over. The Fire and Storm will face off for the first time since August 9, 2002, and the schedule is packed with excitement.
Mark your calendars: The action kicks off with a preseason game in Seattle on April 29, followed by a Commissioner’s Cup clash in Portland on June 17. The regular season matchups? July 4 (Seattle), August 8 (Portland), and August 14 (Seattle). And this is the part most people miss—this rivalry isn’t just about the WNBA. It’s rooted in a history that predates the league itself.
Let’s rewind to the late 1990s, when the Portland Power and Seattle Reign battled in the American Basketball League (ABL). These games laid the foundation for the WNBA rivalry, with teams facing off multiple times per season due to the ABL’s smaller roster of teams. ‘There was a natural rivalry there,’ former coach Lin Dunn told The Oregonian/OregonLive. ‘Then when we were rivals in the WNBA, it was awesome.’
Now, let’s relive some of the most memorable moments from their WNBA matchups:
- June 3, 2000: Portland edged out Seattle 65-58 in a comeback win, with Sylvia Crawley leading the charge. Seattle struggled with poor shooting, hitting just 35% of their shots.
- June 23, 2000: The Fire took a 2-0 series lead with a 72-61 victory, thanks to Crawley’s double-double and Seattle’s 37.5% shooting.
- August 6, 2000: Seattle forced overtime with a buzzer-beater and clinched a 66-58 win, their first in the series, behind Jamie Redd’s 14 points.
- June 19, 2001: Portland dominated 58-43, holding Seattle to just 29.8% shooting.
- July 4, 2001: Seattle snapped back with a 61-56 win, as Portland’s shooting went cold.
- July 20, 2001: Sophia Witherspoon’s 21 points lifted Portland to a 56-49 victory, despite 17 turnovers.
- June 2, 2002: Seattle jumped to an early lead and held on for a 57-47 win, led by Sue Bird’s 14 points.
- June 11, 2002: Portland bounced back with a 70-63 win, as Ukari Figgs and Crawley combined for 31 points.
- August 9, 2002: Seattle closed out the series with an 83-74 win, powered by Bird’s 33 points and Lauren Jackson’s double-double.
But here’s the question: With the rivalry returning, which city will rise to the top? Will Portland’s fresh start give them the edge, or will Seattle’s experience keep them ahead? Let us know your thoughts in the comments—this is one debate that’s sure to heat up faster than a buzzer-beater.
