Dominique Malonga fuels Storm optimism after tough season
The Seattle Storm’s difficult 2026 season has been offset by breakout growth from Dominique Malonga, the 20-year-old All-Star center averaging 17.2 points and nine rebounds. Her rise, plus a young core and late glimpses of a tall frontcourt trio, give fans clear reasons to believe better days are ahead.
Key Takeaways
- Dominique Malonga, Seattle’s No. 2 overall pick in 2025, is averaging 17.2 points, nine rebounds and 1.7 assists in her second WNBA season.
- At 20, she earned her first All-Star nod and posted 12 points and 13 rebounds in Chicago, including a dunk—the first in an All-Star Game since Sylvia Fowles in 2022.
- The Storm sit 7-28 and were eliminated from playoff contention on Aug. 7, but close losses and player development keep optimism alive.
- A lineup of Malonga, Awa Fam and Ezi Magbegor outscored Chicago 34-18 over about 11 minutes on Aug. 16.
According to KOMO News, Seattle’s year has been defined by growing pains and a mounting loss total. Still, the development of the team’s youngest players—especially Malonga—has shifted attention toward long-term franchise building rather than this season’s standings alone.
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Why does Dominique Malonga matter so much right now?
Malonga’s second-year leap is the clearest bright spot. Beyond her season averages, recent double-doubles underscore the jump: 31 points and 10 rebounds against the New York Liberty on Aug. 5, 26 and 10 versus the Chicago Sky on Aug. 10, then 19 points, 13 rebounds and four blocks against Chicago on Aug. 16.
Her All-Star Game dunk made her only the fifth player to dunk in that setting. For a franchise evaluating its future core, that combination of production, age and highlight moments is hard to ignore.
How are the Storm handling life without the playoffs?
The Seattle Times reports Seattle was the first WNBA team eliminated from postseason contention on Aug. 7. Two franchise-record-tying 11-game skids left the Storm at 7-28, with only five home wins in 16 tries before a 97-88 win over Chicago.
Coach Sonia Raman has urged the group to “zoom out” and track daily growth. Guard Natisha Hiedeman said the focus is individual improvement, togetherness and enjoying games with “no pressure at all.” Magbegor framed the reset simply: compete and try to win every remaining contest.
Could Fam, Magbegor and Malonga be the Storm’s future?
The IX Sports detailed how 6-foot-6 Malonga, 6-foot-4 Magbegor and 6-foot-4 Awa Fam—Seattle’s No. 3 overall pick in 2026—shared the floor for an extended stretch against Chicago. Down 18 late in the third, the trio fueled a near-comeback in a two-point loss, finishing the final 6:54 together.
Raman praised their length, paint protection and unselfish offense but stressed the group has logged only about 12 minutes all season. Magbegor called the look exciting and said she wants to grow with Fam and Malonga “for a long time,” while Raman said the staff will take it game by game.
Close defeats—84-82 to Portland on Aug. 14 and 82-80 to Chicago two days later—plus steady fan support round out the case for patience. A difficult season remains the story. Dominique Malonga’s ascent, and the early chemistry of a towering frontcourt, are why Storm fans can still look ahead with hope.