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The Seattle Storm finally have a reason to celebrate again. After enduring more than a month without a victory, Seattle snapped its franchise-record-tying 11-game losing streak Monday night with a 97-88 win over the Chicago Sky at Climate Pledge Arena.
Dominique Malonga made sure the painful skid ended there. The 20-year-old All-Star delivered 26 points, 10 rebounds, three blocks and two steals, shooting 9-of-14 from the field in one of her most complete performances of the season.
Seattle never trailed, built a 17-point advantage and survived a dangerous late push from Chicago to secure its first victory since defeating the Los Angeles Sparks on July 6.
“We were fed up,” Malonga said afterward.
That frustration turned into Seattle’s most satisfying night of an otherwise difficult season.
Dominique Malonga takes over for Storm
Seattle entered Monday with a 6-28 record, no remaining path to the playoffs and 11 consecutive losses hanging over the franchise. None of that was apparent during the opening half.
The Storm controlled the game from the beginning and carried a 47-33 lead into halftime. Malonga established herself inside while Seattle played with an energy and freedom that had been missing during much of its losing streak.
Storm coach Sonia Raman praised the growth Malonga has shown at only 20 years old.
“Dom continues to be a walking double-double,” Raman said. “Just the improvement that we’ve seen from her this season is incredible.”
Malonga received plenty of help.
Natisha Hiedeman scored 18 points, handed out nine assists and converted all 12 of her free-throw attempts. Zia Cooke added 16 points off the bench, including seven during the fourth quarter.
Jordan Horston started in place of injured rookie Flau’jae Johnson, who was unavailable because of a left ankle injury. Horston finished with 10 points, six rebounds and two steals in 23 minutes.
Seattle led for approximately 94 percent of the contest and held a 50-33 advantage early in the third quarter. The Storm appeared to be cruising toward a comfortable victory before Chicago made one final charge.
Zia Cooke delivers after Sky’s late comeback
The Sky never held a lead, but they nearly erased Seattle’s advantage during the closing minutes. DiJonai Carrington stole an errant pass from Cooke and converted a fast-break layup, cutting the Storm’s lead to 84-82 with 2:52 remaining.
It would have been understandable if doubt crept in.
Seattle had lost 14 consecutive games decided in clutch situations, defined as contests within five points during the final five minutes. The Storm had repeatedly come close during their losing streak without finding a way to finish.
This time, they responded.
Malonga scored on a layup before Cooke recovered from her costly turnover by drilling a corner 3-pointer. The shot pushed Seattle’s lead to 89-82 with 2:12 left and sent the crowd of 11,655 into a frenzy.
Hiedeman then sealed the victory by making four free throws over the final 22 seconds.
When the buzzer sounded, Seattle’s players remained on the court to enjoy a celebration that had been delayed for far too long. Horston hugged and exchanged high-fives with fans while Hiedeman fired souvenirs into the stands with a T-shirt cannon.
“Man, it feels great,” Horston said. “We’ve been coming close in games. We got the fight. We got the effort. We got the everything. It’s just like we’re just not pulling out those games.”
On Monday, the Storm finally did.
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DiJonai Carrington erupts in return
Carrington nearly spoiled Seattle’s celebration with the best scoring performance of her WNBA career. Playing two days after being ejected for a Flagrant 2 foul against Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham, Carrington came off the Chicago bench and scored a career-high 26 points in 27 minutes.
She made all 10 of her free throws and provided the driving force behind the Sky’s second-half comeback. Kamilla Cardoso contributed 15 points and 13 rebounds, while Courtney Vandersloot added 13 points. Chicago played without leading scorer Sydney Taylor because of a groin injury and fell to 12-21.
The Sky remain in the postseason race, but losing to the team at the bottom of the standings represented a significant missed opportunity.
For Seattle, the victory was about more than ending an ugly streak.
The Storm are 7-28 and already eliminated from playoff contention, but their remaining nine games offer Malonga, Horston, Cooke and the rest of a young roster an opportunity to continue developing together.
“We know what this year was about,” Malonga said. “It was about building something. It was about growing together, and I think that’s what we’re doing.”
Seattle will attempt to build on the breakthrough when it hosts the Portland Fire on Friday. Chicago continues its road trip Wednesday against the Golden State Valkyries.
One victory cannot erase the Storm’s difficult season. It did, however, end 35 days of frustration and provide a glimpse of what Seattle’s promising young core could eventually become. After 11 straight losses, Malonga and the Storm could finally walk off their home court smiling.
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