By Michael Hapanovich Posted on

Storm nearly overcome 20-point deficit but can’t close it out against the Sky

It marked their 30th loss of the season

The Storm struggled without starting point guard Natisha Hiedeman, dropping the last of their three-game homestand 82-80 to the Chicago Sky on Sunday. Despite falling short, All-Star center Dominique Malonga impressed, recording 19 points and 13 rebounds for her 15th career double-double, the sixth most in franchise history.

Malonga also added a career-high four blocks as the Storm (7-30) set a single-game franchise record with 13. Magbegor chipped in with a season-high 17 points and reserves Awa Fam and Zia Cooke each contributed double-digit points as Seattle lost their second consecutive game.

All-Star Kamila Cardoso led the Sky (13-22) with 22 points and added 12 rebounds, recording her 11th double-double of the season. Natasha Cloud chipped in with 20 points and Courtney Vandersloot added 15.

Although Hiedeman was sidelined for the first time this season with a left shoulder injury, rookie guard Flau’jae Johnson (ankle) returned to the lineup following a two-game absence.

First quarter offensive flaws

Neither team could find their groove early, trading seven missed shots to open the game but Jordan Horston finally opened the scoring with a layup at 2:08 to put the Storm on the board first. Cloud responded quickly with a made shot just 15 seconds later that seemingly woke up the offense as the Sky embarked on an 11-0 run to take a commanding nine point lead with 4:43 remaining in the opening frame.

Cardoso led the way for Chicago with a quarter-high six points and reserve Cooke stepped up for Seattle, recording five points in the final three minutes. 

Despite Cooke’s efforts, the home side was unable to make up any ground and trailed 23-11 after the opening 10 minutes, marking the Storm’s new season low for points in a quarter.

Out of sight, out of mind

Magbegor opened the second quarter with a layup after she caught a pass from Johnson, who recorded her 100th career assist on the play.

The Sky were unable to break away in the opening minutes and Johnson’s three-pointer at 3:35 to cut the lead to 10 seemingly shifted the momentum over to Seattle. However, on the ensuing possession, Cooke stole the ball from Jacy Sheldon but turned it over just two seconds later, resulting in a made shot for Courtney Vandersloot that put the Sky up 32-20.

Vandersloot’s steal and score continued to ignite energy in Chicago’s offense as they went on a 14-5 run. Cardoso’s layup at 7:12 capped off the scoring stretch and gave the Sky a comfortable 44-25 lead. 

Malonga and Jade Melbourne scored to close out the quarter but the Storm still faced an uphill battle, trailing 46-29 entering halftime.

Signs of life

Despite the large deficit, Seattle showed no signs of going away. After Cardoso and Vandersloot scored to put Chicago up by 20, the Storm embarked on a 15-2 run to pull them within seven with 3:38 remaining in the quarter. 

Magbegor delivered defensively when she blocked Vandersloot’s layup at 4:17 and followed it up with another just 26 seconds later, recording a season-high five blocks in a game. 

Consecutive baskets from Cardoso re-extended the Sky’s lead to double digits but Melbourne’s three-pointer at 8:12 put Seattle back within reach.

Chicago’s All-Star center continued to carry the load, hitting a free throw in an attempt to generate some momentum but Awa Fam knocked down a three-pointer just 11 seconds later. Cooke followed it up with a made free throw to cut the deficit to five, marking the Sky’s smallest lead since 5:22 in the opening quarter.

Cloud hit a shot to break up the rhythm but Elizabeth Williams’ personal foul on Magbegor sent her to the line, where she knocked down both free throws to keep the Storm within five entering the final frame.

Fourth quarter crumble

After maintaining the same scoring pace throughout the first two minutes, Chicago jumped ahead, with three consecutive baskets from Williams, Vandersloot and Rachel Banham to extend Chicago’s lead to 12.

But, like clockwork, Seattle mounted a comeback. Cooke, Melbourne, Malonga, Fam and Magbegor scored to put the Storm within two, prompting the Sky to call a timeout. Melbourne and Johnson stepped up in the following minutes, each recording a block to keep the game close.

Back-to-back personal fouls on the Sky were costly, as Malonga and Fam each knocked down both of their free throws and cut the lead to one with 20.3 seconds remaining. Three more consecutive fouls resulted in an 82-80 Sky lead with 9.9 seconds left, but Melbourne missed a game-tying running layup as time expired to seal the game.

Seattle will look to bounce back as they hit the road for a matchup against the Dallas Wings before returning for a three-game homestand.

POST GAME NOTES

GAME STATS

TEAM 1 2 3 4 FINAL HIGH PTS HIGH REB HIGH AST 
SEATTLE 11 18 26 25 80 D. Malonga (19) D. Malonga (13) Johnson, Melbourne (6) 
CHICAGO 23 23 14 22 82 K. Cardoso (22) K. Cardoso (12) C. Vandersloot (5) 

STORY OF THE GAME: The Storm notched 22 of their 29 first half points from inside the paint and recorded 11 points off 13 forced Sky turnovers. Rookie Awa Fam led the team in the second quarter with five points on 50% (2-for-4) shooting from the field, including one three-pointer. Seattle used a 20-7 run in the third quarter to cut an 18-point deficit to just five going into the final frame. Seattle continued to chip away at the deficit and pulled within one at 79-78 with 20 seconds remaining, but Chicago held off the rally to take the 82-80 win. The Storm shot 44.4% (8-for-18) from the field in the final frame, including 88.9% (8-for-9) from the free-throw line. 

KEY STATS OF THE GAME

  • The Storm’s 13 blocks set a franchise record for most swatted shots in a game. Ezi Magbegor led the team with five, a season high and the most by a Storm player this season, and Dominique Malonga notched four, tying her career best.
  • Seattle outscored Chicago in points in the paint (46-36) and fast break points (14-6).

STORM HIGHLIGHTS

  • Dominique Malonga led the Storm with 19 points and 13 rebounds, shooting 9-for-10 from the free-throw line. With her 15th career double-double, Malonga moved into sixth in Storm history for most double-doubles all-time and in a season (11).
  • Ezi Magbegor set a season-high 17 points on 7-for-12 shooting (58.3%). She also grabbed four rebounds and led the team in +/- for the second straight game at +10. Magbegor also moved into ninth on the Storm all-time free throws made list (320).
  • Awa Fam scored 14 points off the bench. She shot 5-for-10 from the field and secured five rebounds.
  • Jade Melbourne tallied 11 points and tied for a game-high six assists, which accounted for 14 additional points.

SKY HIGHLIGHTS

  • Kamilla Cardoso led Chicago with 22 points and 12 rebounds. Natasha Cloud added 20 points and eight rebounds.

UP NEXT: The Storm heads to Dallas to take on the Wings on Sunday, Aug. 23. Tipoff is at 1 p.m. PT and will be broadcast nationally on NBATV and locally on KOMO and CW Seattle. The matchup will also be available to stream on Prime for users in Washington state.

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