Seattle Storm Defeat Chicago Sky 97-88 to Snap 11-Game Losing Streak
The Seattle Storm finally ended the streak.
Behind a dominant performance from Dominique Malonga, Seattle defeated the Chicago Sky 97-88 Monday night at Climate Pledge Arena, snapping an 11-game losing streak and earning its first victory in more than a month. The Storm built a 14-point halftime advantage, survived a determined Chicago comeback, and executed when the game tightened during the final minutes.
Malonga led Seattle with 26 points, 10 rebounds and three blocks, while Natisha Hiedeman added 18 points and nine assists. Zia Cooke provided 16 points off the bench, including one of the biggest shots of the fourth quarter.
For a Seattle team that had repeatedly struggled to finish games during its losing streak, Monday's victory was about more than the final score. The Storm finally responded when an opponent threatened to take control late.
Dominique Malonga Sets the Tone for Seattle
Malonga continues to emerge as one of Seattle's brightest young players.
The 20-year-old center delivered another complete performance against Chicago, combining interior scoring with increasingly dangerous perimeter shooting. She connected on three of her four attempts from beyond the arc while controlling the glass and protecting the rim.
Her 26-point performance also continued a significant individual run.
According to the source material, Malonga became the youngest player in WNBA history to record three consecutive 20-point games. She also surpassed 300 career rebounds faster than any player in league history.
Those milestones are impressive, but Seattle needed much more than individual records Monday.
It needed Malonga to help produce a victory.
She did exactly that.
Storm Build a 14-Point Halftime Advantage
Seattle established control before halftime.
The Storm moved the ball effectively, attacked favorable matchups and prevented Chicago from consistently creating easy opportunities. By the break, Seattle held a 47-33 advantage.
Malonga had 11 first-half points, while Cooke provided important production from the bench.
The Storm's ability to create separation was particularly encouraging given how difficult the previous several weeks had been. Instead of playing from behind and attempting another comeback, Seattle forced Chicago into that position.
The challenge became protecting the advantage.
Natisha Hiedeman Gives Seattle Stability
Malonga supplied the interior production, but Natisha Hiedeman helped organize everything around her.
Hiedeman finished with 18 points and nine assists. The game transcript in the uploaded source also credits her with zero turnovers, an especially valuable accomplishment for the player directing Seattle's offense.
She was also perfect at the free-throw line, converting all 12 of her attempts.
That combination of scoring, playmaking and ball security gave Seattle the steady guard production it needed to maintain control for much of the evening.
But Chicago eventually found a way back.
DiJonai Carrington Leads Chicago's Comeback
The Sky refused to allow Seattle to cruise to the finish.
DiJonai Carrington, playing off the bench, produced a career night with 26 points in 27 minutes. She also converted all 10 of her free throws and recorded five steals as Chicago steadily reduced Seattle's advantage.
Carrington's performance came just two days after she was ejected against Indiana following a Flagrant 2 foul.
Against Seattle, her impact was felt on both ends of the floor.
According to the source material, Carrington became the first WNBA player to produce at least 25 points, five rebounds and five steals off the bench.
Her biggest contribution nearly helped Chicago erase Seattle's lead completely.
Chicago Cuts the Lead to Two
Seattle entered the fourth quarter still holding an advantage, but the Sky kept applying pressure.
Carrington eventually stole the ball and finished in transition to cut Seattle's lead to 84-82 with just under three minutes remaining.
For the Storm, the situation carried additional pressure.
Seattle had lost 11 consecutive games. Chicago had erased nearly all of a double-digit deficit. Another possession could have completely shifted momentum.
The Storm needed someone to stop the comeback.
Zia Cooke Hits the Shot Seattle Needed
Chicago had an opportunity to build on Carrington's basket but committed a turnover on its next possession.
Seattle immediately punished the mistake.
Zia Cooke found space in the corner and buried a three-pointer, pushing the Storm's advantage to 89-82.
It was one of the biggest shots Seattle had made in weeks.
The three did more than increase the lead. It interrupted Chicago's momentum and gave the Storm enough separation to regain their composure.
Seattle maintained at least a five-point advantage for the remainder of the game.
Cooke finished with 16 points off the bench, giving Seattle another reliable offensive option when the game became tight.
Kamilla Cardoso Produces Another Double-Double
Chicago received more than Carrington's scoring.
Kamilla Cardoso finished with 15 points and 13 rebounds, providing the Sky with another strong performance inside. Courtney Vandersloot added 13 points as Chicago attempted to complete its second-half comeback.
The Sky showed plenty of resilience after falling behind by 14 at halftime.
What they could not produce was the final run.
Once Chicago reached 84-82, Seattle responded instead of allowing the game to slip away.
Seattle Finally Finishes a Close Game
That response may be the most important takeaway from the night.
During a long losing streak, confidence can disappear quickly when an opponent starts making a comeback. Every missed shot and turnover carries additional weight because players have experienced similar situations ending badly.
Seattle faced exactly that scenario Monday.
The Storm watched a comfortable advantage shrink to two points with less than three minutes remaining.
Then they responded.
Cooke made the critical three. Malonga continued attacking inside. Hiedeman provided stability with the basketball. Seattle protected its advantage and finally completed the game.
Dominique Malonga Gives Seattle Something to Build Around
The victory improved Seattle to 7-28 and ended a losing streak that stretched back to the Storm's 82-64 victory over Los Angeles on July 6.
One win cannot erase an extremely difficult season.
But young teams need evidence that their development can translate into results.
Malonga is increasingly providing that evidence.
Her three-game scoring run, rebounding production and expanding offensive range suggest Seattle has a young centerpiece capable of becoming increasingly important to the franchise.
Against Chicago, those individual improvements finally contributed to something the Storm desperately needed—a win.
Seattle will now host the Portland Fire on Friday, while Chicago travels to face the Golden State Valkyries on Wednesday.
For the Storm, however, the next game could wait.
After 11 consecutive losses, Seattle had finally found a way to finish.
And with Malonga leading the way, the 97-88 victory over Chicago gave the Storm something they had been searching for since early July: a reason to celebrate again.
