Instant Takeaways: Storm Outlast Sun, Raman Earns First Win as WNBA Head Coach
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Seattle Storm center Stefanie Dolson (31) and forward Jordan Horston (23) reacts after a basket and foul called on the Connecticut Sun in the first half at Mohegan Sun Arena. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-Imagn Images [/caption]
Lexie Brown and Jade Melbourne led an efficient, physical comeback in the second half, and the Seattle Storm got Sonia Raman her first win as a WNBA head coach in an 89-82 victory over the Connecticut Sun on Sunday, May 10, at Mohegan Sun Arena.
Brown rebounded from an abysmal season opener to sink five threes and lead the Storm with 17 points. Melbourne continued to be one of the fiestiest players on the court, totaling 15 points, six assists, one steal and one block. Rookie Flau’jae Johnson, though still inefficient, added 16 points, six rebounds, three steals and a block.
Connecticut was led by 17 points and 16 rebounds from Aneesah Morrow. Brittney Griner finished with 16 points, six rebounds and two steals.
The Storm battled foul trouble early, forcing Raman to dip even deeper into her bench. The balance across a 10-player lineup through two games has been incredibly unique.
Here’s what we learned from the Storm’s first win of the 2026 WNBA season against the Sun.
Unfortunate trend follows Storm into Game 2
The Storm were at an immediate disadvantage, as Dominique Malonga played only four minutes in the first two quarters after picking up three quick fouls. An already-hampered Storm team had to persevere without its best player.
Still, Seattle controlled the game in the first quarter as they did against the Golden State Valkyries in the season opener. But a once-seven-point lead crumbled away in the second quarter.
Connecticut took nine more shots than the Storm in the first half, helping fuel a 17-4 run going into the locker room. The Storm were getting decent looks at times, but they weren’t converting. And without Malonga in the game, the ball wasn’t running through the post. The guards, and Johnson especially, had to create everything themselves.
Morrow dominated on the boards and near the rim on offense for the Sun, totaling 12 points and 11 rebounds. Even with Mackenzie Holmes and Stefanie Dolson on the floor, Malonga’s absence hurt Seattle on the glass.
Johnson, though she hasn’t fully found her groove, is proving she has the potential to be the Storm's No. 1 scoring option. The confidence is there, meaning the shot attempts follow, but they just aren’t going down at a high enough clip.
The rookie No. 8 overall pick totaled 11 points (3-of-8 FG), five rebounds and one assist in the first half.
Seattle trailed by five at halftime, relinquishing their control. But they had plenty of time to right the early wrongs.
Storm’s backcourt carries comeback
The cold streak stretched into the second quarter. Over eight minutes in the second and third quarters, the Storm missed 11 straight field-goal attempts.
Natisha Hiedeman finally took the lid off the basket with just under eight minutes remaining in the third quarter, and that helped spur the Storm’s offense.
After a brutal season opener that included zero points and a team-high four turnovers, Brown single-handedly put the Storm back in control midway through the period with back-to-back 3-pointers. That gave Seattle a 57-54 advantage, their first lead since late in the second quarter.
Then she drilled two more, putting her at 5-for-5 in the game. She made a 12-0 run all on her own, completely flipping the game on its head.
Connecticut didn’t just fold. The Sun responded with its own 5-0 run, and they kept it a two-point game heading into the final period.
The Sun played from behind the entire fourth quarter. Malonga came alive a bit once she was able to play consistent minutes, and that sparked the Storm on both ends of the court.
After Johnson hit two free throws to put the Storm up 87-80 with 1:07 left, Melbourne ripped the ball away from Morrow to force Connecticut into intentional foul territory.
Connecticut fouled for a time, but eventually they gave in and allowed the Storm to run out the clock.
A complete team effort
Raman is proving she isn’t afraid to play her entire 10-player rotation extensive minutes. Seven different Storm players were on the floor for 20 or more minutes, led by Johnson (30).
In most instances, when early fouls are fewer, that isn’t likely to be so emphasized. But with Malonga, Dolson and Holmes each picking up more than four fouls, the balance was forced.
The Storm’s depth came through. Melbourne tied for the third-most minutes despite coming off the bench, and she led the charge in the fourth quarter, especially.
This wasn’t a win based on star power, but rather via young stars stepping up to the opportunity. Seattle will need a ton more of that moving forward if they hope to be more competitive than expected. And they will run into much more dominating teams than the Sun.
Johnson’s start
Through two games, Johnson is 6-of-22 from the field and has totaled 28 points, eight rebounds, three assists, four steals and a block. She and Melbourne are proving to be the needed energy for this lineup, but she’ll eventually have to become smarter with her shot selection.
Johnson’s confidence is key, and it’s what makes her so effective. Now she just has to refine it a bit more so that she picks her spots more selectively.
Defensively, Johnson has impressed and brought that same energy from the offensive side of the ball. With Ezi Magbegor and No. 3 overall pick Awa Fam not yet playing for the Storm, Johnson is helping the Storm’s backcourt be its strength early in the season.
Up Next
The Storm will stay on the road for their first-ever game against the expansion Toronto Tempo (0-1) at 4 p.m. on Wednesday, May 13. Toronto lost its first game in franchise history to the Washington Mystics, 68-65, on Friday, May 8.
