By Mazvita Maraire Posted on

Storm’s Tough Start: Many Lessons to Learn From Season Opening Loss to Valkyries

The Seattle Storm’s 91 to 80 season-opening loss to the Golden State Valkyries was a rude awakening. The Storm were full of energy and optimism to start the game. The energy of the crowd gave the Storm an early boost. A game-opening basket by rookie Flau ‘jae Johnson saw the crowd erupt with a big cheer.  The big turned into a downright stomp and shout when the  Storm took an early 11-6 lead on Dominique Malonga’s basket.

The good times and cheers were short-lived as the team struggled to get up and down the court in transition, due to too many self-inflicted wounds that stymied the effort.  Johnson was called for two early fouls and had to leave the game. One of her early fouls was on former  Storm favorite Gabby Williams. The Storm were whistled for six fouls in the quarter and somehow found a way to end the quarter with a 24-23 lead.

POOR SHOOTING AND POOR DEFENSE

Unable to get out in transition, saw the Storm struggle on the offensive end and slow to react on the defensive end. The Storm scored just 17 second-quarter points. The Valkyries made the Storm pay for their slow defensive rotation, 4 of 10 three-pointers, and  8 of 19  shots from the field. The Storm gave up  26 points in the quarter. Valkyrie guard  Veronica Burton scored 11  points in the quarter to lead the visitors to a 49-41 halftime lead.

CONTINUE TO FIGHT TILL THE END

Things went from bad to worse in the third quarter, when the team scored just 12 points. Although their shooting cooled from the three-point range. The Valkyries made two of eight attempts; they shot a decent 40% from the field, making  8 of 20 shots.

The third quarter ended with the Storm trailing 69 to 53.  Despite the deficit, the Storm continued to fight in the fourth quarter and narrowed it to 13 points on several occasions inside the two-minute mark, but it was too little, too late.

GAME NOTES

KEY STATS OF THE GAME 

  • The Storm’s 14,200 fans are the most in attendance for a season opener in franchise history. 
  • Seattle notched 30 points in the paint alongside nine fast break points. 
  • The Storm pulled down 13 offensive rebounds and converted them for 18 second chance points. 

STORM HIGHLIGHTS 

  • Dominique Malonga became the youngest player in WNBA history to secure 200 rebounds. In her first career start, she finished with 21 points, one shy of her career high, on 8-for-15 shooting and eight rebounds. 
  • Jade Melbourne went 4-for-5 from the field, including 100% from the free throw line and 2-for-3 from the three-point line as she hit her 50th career three pointer. 
  • Zia Cooke recorded career-high points and rebounds with 15 points and seven boards. She shot 3-for-5 from behind the arc. 
  • Flau’jae Johnson put up 12 points, two rebounds and two assists in her WNBA regular season debut. 

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