While the Seattle Storm are trying their best to cement their position and qualify for the playoffs, their star Nika Muhl is having a season filled with highs and lows. Muhl was overwhelmed when the Storm picked her up in the second round of the 2024 WNBA draft. However, she experienced an ebb-and-flow phase when she couldn’t ply her trade in the first four games due to issues with her work visa. Next, after she was cleared to play, she participated in a few games this season before being spotted on the injury list due to an undisclosed personal reason. All this has given one unstable ride for Muhl who must be finding comfort in her University of Connecticut Huskies teammates.

On Sunday, when the Storm took over the Connecticut Sun at the Mohegan Sun Arena, Muhl once again didn’t take the court. And since she played for zilch minutes, she would have found comfort in seeing her ex-teammates coming to cheer for her. The Huskies women’s basketball team was present in the stadium to witness the neck-to-neck game and applaud former UConn stars including Mühl, Olivia Nelson-Ododa, and Gabby Williams.

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Her ex-teammate Paige Bueckers, who decided to spend one more year with the Huskies and who calls Muhl her sister, was in attendance donning Muhl’s number 1 jersey of the Storm. Thu,s Muhl would have had her spirits raised after witnessing the love she was receiving from her UConn family.

This season has been a rollercoaster ride for Muhl who although made it to the Storm in the WNBA, hasn’t gotten the chance to spend significant time on the court. She has played just 13 games as of now, not starting in any of them. Plus, she hasn’t scored any points in this season only resting on her 6 rebounds and a singular assist. Even in one game against the Mystics, she was ruled out due to personal issues in August. Looks like Muhl is being underutilized.

Even in this game, out of the 11 players cleared to ply their trade, Muhl was the only one who wasn’t rotated and given any minutes on the court. She surely must be having a hard time trying to fit in with the Storm and hopefully, will soon win the trust of her head coach and teammates. But, all the time Bueckers has been there to support her partner.

Nika Muhl gets support from Paige Bueckers

Muhl and Bueckers started their NCAA journey together in 2020 with the Geno Auriemma-coached team. Over time, the two developed a strong bond. Hence, when Bueckers was injured during the 2022-23 season, Mulh made sure to provide consistent motivation to Bueckers and cheer her up during her lowest phase. Bueckers too reciprocated with love calling Muhl her twin.

And since then, Bueckers has made it a point to catch Muhl playing for the Storm whenever she gets time. In July, when the Storm squared off against the Chicago Sky, Bueckers was there to cheer for Muhl donning her Seattle jersey. “Just excited to come visit my twin. I’m excited to be here… Super surreal just to watch her live out her dreams,” Bueckers had stated.

And hopefully, in this tough time, it is unwavering support that will help Muhl be happy. Perhaps, it is friends like Bueckers that demonstrate the softness in this otherwise competitive league.

Stay tuned for more such updates and join us for the exciting second episode of the “Dual Threat Show” as our host BG12 sits down with Georgia Bulldogs star and Mountain West All-Freshman Team Selection, Asia Avinger.