By Michael Hapanovich Posted on

Dominique Malonga Leads Storm Despite Tough Loss to Lynx

Awa Fam recorded her first career double-double with 10 points and 10 rebounds to become the third-youngest player in league history to reach 100 career field goals. Dominique Malonga led the Storm ( 6-23) with 21 points, nine rebounds, and a career high four blocks. The duo’s performance was overshadowed by the return of the Minnesota Lynx’s (22-6) Napheesa Collier. Collier made her 2026 season debut and scored 24 points and 10 rebounds after a double ankle surgery in the offseason.

FAST START

A fast-and-furious first quarter saw both teams execute on the offensive end. There were four lead changes, with the Storm connecting on 8/19 field goal attempts and finishing the quarter with a 22-18 lead. Natisha Hiedeman made 3/4 of field goal attempts and led the Storm with nine points. Kayla McBride was 2/3 from the three-point line and led the Lynx with 11 points.

NO SEPARATION IN THE SECOND QUARTER

With both teams executing on offense, neither could pull away. The Storm had the biggest lead between the two teams. A Malanga layup with 8:49 gave the Storm a six-point lead. This was quickly erased to a one-point lead at 26 to 25 after a Kayla McBride three-pointer and a cutting layup by Olivia Miles. The teams traded assets for the rest of the quarter. Napheesa Collier scored nine points to lead both teams in scoring, but it was the Storm who entered the halftime break with a 45-44 lead. Awa Fam led the Storm with 7 points and 3 rebounds.

UNABLE TO SUSTAIN DEFENSIVE PRESSURE

The third quarter started with a different script from the previous two quarters. The Lynx doubled down on offense and opened the third quarter with a 14-2 run,s led by Collier and Natasha Howard. Howard had eight points in the Lynx’s offensive explosion. A Zia Cooke three-pointer and Jordan Horston layup cut the Lynx’s lead to six points with 1:29 left in the quarter. Lynx ‘sard made one of two free throws to extend the lead to seven points, which was back to five after two Katie Lou Samuelson free throws. A Dorka Juhasz three-pointer with 38 seconds gave the Lynx a 68-60 lead, and that was how the quarter ended.

ROLE REVERSAL

The Storm turned the tables on the Lynx and started the fourth quarter on a five-run that cut the Lynx’s lead to just three points with 7:17 left in the game. Malonga scored 7 of the Storm’s 9 points, cutting the Lynx’s lead to 76-77—Storm’s Sueja Johnson layup with 1:42 in the game. The game play of the came just 23 seconds later when Fam fouled Collier, who took advantage of the rookie’s poor defense and invited a foul from the three-point line. Clier cooly drained all three points, and the game ended with another heartbreaking close loss for the Storm. The Storm have lost 10 games by single digits this season. The Storm dropped the season series against Minnesota (22-6) and are now 3-13 against teams with a winning record this season.

POST GAME NOTES

KEY STATS OF THE GAME

  • The Storm outscored the Lynx in points in the paint (48-42), second chance points (16-15) and fast break points (15-6).
  • Seattle outrebounded Minnesota 41-36, grabbing 40+ boards for fifth time this season.
  • The Storm held the Lynx to just 39.2% shooting from the field, the team’s second-lowest field goal percentage this season.

STORM HIGHLIGHTS

  • Dominique Malonga led the Storm with 21 points on 9-for-13 (69.2%) shooting and set a new career high for points in a season, eclipsing last year’s total of 323. She also tallied nine rebounds and a career-high four blocks.
  • Flau’jae Johnson scored 16 points, including nine in the fourth quarter, as well as six rebounds, four assists and two steals.
  • Awa Fam recorded her first career double-double with 10 points and 10 rebounds. She became the third-youngest player in league history to reach 100 career field goals made.
  • Natisha Hiedeman added 12 points, three assists and two steals.

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