What happened
Dominique Malonga delivered a career-best performance on Thursday, scoring a personal-high 28 points and securing her first double-double of the 2026 season. Despite her individual brilliance on the floor, the Seattle Storm were unable to withstand a late rally from the Portland Fire. The Fire capitalized on superior late-game execution to secure a 94-89 victory, leaving Seattle searching for answers after a competitive four quarters.
Malonga was the focal point of the Seattle offense from the opening tip, asserting herself in the paint and showing improved range to keep the Storm in contention. Seattle led for significant stretches of the second half, but the poise of the Fire proved too much in the closing minutes. Defensive breakdowns allowed Portland to go on a decisive run, erasing Seattle's advantage and handing the Storm their most heartbreaking loss of the month.
Why it matters
The 94-89 defeat is a significant blow to a Seattle team that has struggled to find consistency throughout the year. The loss drops the Storm to 3-13 on the season and extends their current losing streak to nine games. In a season that marks the WNBA's 30th anniversary, the Storm find themselves near the bottom of the standings, grappling with the growing pains of a young and developing roster.
However, Malonga's dominant performance remains a bright spot for the organization. As the franchise navigates a difficult regular season, the sophomore’s rapid development into a double-double threat provides a foundation for the future. Her ability to carry the scoring load against a disciplined Portland defense suggests that while the wins haven't arrived yet, the individual components for a turnaround are beginning to take shape.
By the numbers
Malonga’s 28 points set a new career high, surpassing her previous marks and establishing her as one of the most efficient young scorers in the league. By adding double-digit rebounds, she recorded her first double-double of the season and the fifth of her professional career. This milestone highlights her increased workload and efficiency as she takes on a larger role in the Storm's offensive schemes.
The nine-game losing streak is now the longest active skid in the league, a statistic that underscores the urgency for Seattle's coaching staff. The Storm's 89 points represented one of their better offensive outputs during this stretch, but allowing 94 points continues a trend of defensive instability. Seattle will need to find a way to pair Malonga’s scoring with better perimeter defense if they hope to climb out of their current slump.
What to watch next
Seattle faces a quick turnaround as they prepare to host the Phoenix Mercury on Saturday. The matchup represents another opportunity for the Storm to finally snap their nine-game losing streak and build some momentum heading into the latter half of the schedule. The focus will remain on Malonga to see if she can replicate her career-high performance against a Mercury frontcourt that will likely prioritize slowing her down.
With the season record sitting at 3-13, every game becomes a high-stakes environment for the Storm’s young core. Fans will be looking for signs of defensive adjustment and improved late-game management to avoid a repeat of the Portland collapse. Saturday's contest will be a major test of the team's resilience and their ability to protect leads in the final minutes.