(Photo Credit: Nate Small- smallworld-206-photography.merlin-site.com)
The (8‑31) Seattle Storm delivered one of their sharpest defensive performances of the season, holding the (11‑27) Toronto Tempo to just 15.4% from three‑point range and shutting down Toronto’s rhythm from start to finish. In the Tempo’s only trip to the downtown Seattle arena this season, the Storm made sure the visit was anything but comfortable, controlling the matchup on both ends of the court to secure their first franchise win over the Tempo.
Five players scored in double-figures for the Storm, they limited their turnovers to 10 for the game, while their bench scored thirty points, additionally they outscored the Tempo 17-9 in second-chance points. In this matchup, the Storm handed out 25 assists and outscoring the Tempo 50-44 in points in the paint.
“It was a great team effort,” Storm HC Sonia Raman revealed what she was most pleased with postgame in their win over the Tempo. “I’m always happy when we take care of the ball. But overall, we were intentional, together, and competed hard. That’s what makes me happiest at the end of a game.”
The team has gotten off to slow starts throughout the season, Flau’jae Johnson scored the team’s first five points to make sure that didn’t happen again. She also made it clear postgame what was the best part of her game.
“If you catch me in transition, you’re probably not stopping me unless I miss the layup. I hit jumpers and a free throw early, then a layup,” said Johnson post-game. “That gets me going. But my intention was just to get the best shot and find mismatches.”
Recently, Johnson joined Lauren Jackson in becoming the second player in Storm history to record 50 steals and 25 blocks in their rookie season. She also now has the second-most 20+ point games of any rookie in Storm history with eight, passing Sue Bird (6).
“Nobody can guard me in transition — that’s been true since middle school. I’ve learned to score in a variety of ways around the basket. I study Dwyane Wade — the high pickup move I use is his, not Donovan Mitchell’s,” Johnson clarified post-game. “I hit a left‑hand layup today, which I’ve been missing this season. The secret is manipulating transition speed. Defenders are already on their heels — they have to choose one option, and I have three. If you know, you know.”
UCLA Graduate Kiki Rice led Toronto with 24 points, three rebounds and five assists, and one steal, including a perfect 11-for-11 from the free throw line. While former Volunteer Isabelle Harrison added 17 points and 14 rebounds.
Dominique Malonga recorded 18 points on nine made field goals. She grabbed a team-high seven rebounds and tied her career high with three steals. Jade Melbourne recorded 16 points on 5-for-10 (50.0%) shooting and a season-high six rebounds. She also secured her 200th career defensive rebound and made her 200th career free throw.
Off the bench for the Storm, Zia Cooke chipped in 10 points off the bench, shooting 5-for-6 from the free-throw line. Recording a season-high five assists, Cooke dished out her 100th career dime. She also secured a season-high two steals and led the Storm in +/- at +18.
(Photo Credit: Nate Small- smallworld-206-photography.merlin-site.com)
“Ball pressure was a big focal point. Being up to touch in pick and rolls, bigs up on screeners, being a presence so they couldn’t slip out easily,” Raman said reflecting on their win. “That improved point of attack defense, which made rotations easier. They didn’t get many uncontested threes. It all started with our pressure.”
The Storm hosts the Los Angeles Sparks on Sunday, Aug. 30 at 2 p.m. PT. The game will be broadcast on KOMO and CW Seattle and will be available to stream on Prime for users in Washington state. Not only will this be the final game before the FIBA break for both teams it will also be Nneka Ogwumike’s final game in Seattle, as she recently announced this will be her last year playing in the WNBA.
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