> ## Content Index > Fetch the complete content index at: https://www.emeraldcityspectrum.com/llms.txt > Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further. # Instant Takeaways: Seattle Storm Lose Ninth Straight With Loss to Liberty - URL: https://www.emeraldcityspectrum.com/instant-takeaways-seattle-storm-lose-ninth-straight-new-york-liberty/ - Published: 2026-08-04T04:01:47.000Z - Updated: 2026-10-08T05:52:26.000Z - Author: Corbin Smith - Tags: Game Day, Analysis, Storm, Flau'jae Johnson, Natisha Hiedeman, Dominique Malonga, Ezi Magbegor, Awa Fam \[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="3108"\] ![ Seattle Storm guard Flau'jae Johnson (4) celebrates in the third quarter against the New York Liberty at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Wendell Cruz-Imagn Images ](https://storage.ghost.io/c/1d/f2/1df2f77b-83dd-4bc0-a6d2-6d1bb5df89a3/content/images/2026/10/seattle-storm-guard-flau-27jae-johnson--284-29-celebrates-in-the-third-quarter-against-the-new-york-liberty-at-barclays-center--mandatory-credit-3a-wendell-cruz-imagn-images-jpg-format-original.jpg) Seattle Storm guard Flau'jae Johnson (4) celebrates in the third quarter against the New York Liberty at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Wendell Cruz-Imagn Images \[/caption\] The Seattle Storm’s (6-26) losing streak was extended to nine games on Monday, as they fell 95-83 to the New York Liberty (18-13) at the Barclays Center. It was a rough start for the Storm, and the Liberty went on several hot streaks throughout the game to nullify chances of a comeback. But Seattle managed to keep things competitive for the most part, primarily on the backs of Flau’jae Johnson, Natisha Hiedeman, and Dominique Malonga. Another New York run late in the third quarter proved to be the difference, as that momentum was enough to put the Storm away for good. What plagued Seattle this time? ### **Lack of Defensive Pressure Leads to Early Deficit** The Storm have been great at defending the 3-point line this season. Entering play, their opponents knocked down only 31.2% of their attempts from deep, which is the second-lowest mark in the WNBA. But you wouldn’t know it by how Monday’s game against the Liberty started. Seattle couldn’t keep New York in front of them out of the gate, as constant dribble penetration led to wide-open 3s on the perimeter. Former No.1 overall pick Sabrina Ionescu was the main beneficiary, making three 3s in the opening period, including a turnaround catch-and-shoot triple and a bank-shot transition trey on a fast break. She finished with 18 points and 5 assists. Ionescu also set up 2026 WNBA All-Star Game MVP Jonquel Jones on occasion, as the 6-6 center drilled a couple of 3s at the top of the key. And before Storm head coach Sonia Raman could call a timeout, her squad was already down 14-3. ### **Guards Kept Things Competitive, Bigs Weren’t Huge Factors** Heideman created immediate offense to keep things close, connecting on two 3-pointers in the first. She was a constant aggressor, even going coast-to-coast for a layup after picking off a Ionescu pass. Seattle’s starting point guard totaled 17 points on 6-of-13 shooting along with seven dimes in the losing effort. Her early initiation opened the door for the rookie Johnson, who finished with game-highs in points (25) and steals (three). Johnson also logged three rebounds and assists apiece. Shooting 8-of-15 from the field, she converted a couple of circus layups inside and got to the rim frequently. Malonga was quiet for the first quarter and a half before calling for some rim touches to get herself going. After going scoreless in the opening 10 minutes, Malonga logged seven second-quarter points, then contributed 10 more in the second half. The same can’t be said for the other two players in the Storm’s frontcourt rotation, Ezi Magbegor and Awa Fam. The former finished with just four points and five rebounds in her sixth game of the season, making two of six shot attempts. And it wasn’t from a lack of aggressiveness that Fam didn’t have her most productive performance. Seattle’s selection at No. 3 overall in the 2026 WNBA Draft was only 1-for-8 from the field, posting four points in 19 minutes off the bench. The trio did solid work defensively in deterring Liberty paint attempts, but Magbegor and Fam didn’t make their presence felt offensively. Outside of Johnson, Heideman, and Malonga, no Storm player scored more than five points. This led to offensive inconsistency that prevented Seattle from completing its comeback attempt. ### **Lack of Turnovers and Strong Defensive Stretch** There haven’t been many games this season where this young Storm team has turned the ball over less than its opponent. But Seattle totaled just seven turnovers in the defeat, while forcing 12 takeaways from New York. It allowed them to not give possessions away, although they shot just 31% (nine-for-29) from 3-point territory and 41% (29-of-71) overall. The Liberty had a quality shooting night, finishing 34-of-68 (50%) from the floor and 14-of-34 (41%) from beyond the arc. But a strong defensive stretch in the middle of the third period almost did New York in. They didn’t see a ball go through the basket for four minutes, and Seattle had suddenly cut the deficit to four points. Then, the veteran Breanna Stewart connected on a fading turnaround jumper over Fam late in the third, and it sparked an avalanche. Over the final 1:30 of the quarter, the Liberty went on a 9-0 run, including a backbreaking 3 by Marine Johannés and two transition layups. Pauline Astier also was involved in keeping them afloat in the third quarter, adding 12 points on the night. Stewart carried New York’s offense in the period, scoring 10 of her 24 total points in the third. She also collected eight rebounds and dished out six assists. Riding her energy and production to the final buzzer, the Liberty kept Seattle at bay for the remainder of the game. ### Up Next The Storm will stay in the Big Apple for the next few days, as another game at Barclays against the Liberty is scheduled for Wednesday, August 5 at 5:30 PM PT.