Top Storm Takeaways From Seattle’s Overtime Loss to Wings - June 22nd, 2026
By Jess Amato
Seattle, WA - On Monday, June 22nd, our Seattle Storm returned home and hosted the Dallas Wings, looking to snap a ten-game losing skid. The Wings have been a fierce competitor this season, with Paige Bueckers entering her sophomore season in the WNBA and the addition of first overall draft pick, Azzi Fudd. This contest, featuring Fudd and our very own Awa Fam, was a fun one to watch, with two very high draft picks sharing the floor at Climate Pledge Arena.
This was a really close and intense game, with a heavy back-and-forth going on between the teams. The Wings and the Storm battled it out, and despite Seattle holding a lead late in the game, the Wings tied it to force overtime. Again, it was an intense contest, but the Wings bested the Storm, 112-110. It’s both a satisfying and crushing result for Seattle, who saw young star Dominique Malonga score a career high and put out perhaps her best performance of her career, while the team failed to close out a game that they should’ve won.
Storm Started Off Slow
At tip-off, it felt like the Storm were still back in the locker room. The Wings had a really strong start, going on a 9-0 run to start the game. By the end of the first quarter, the Wings led 26-19.
The Storm can’t allow any team to jump out to a hot start, let alone a team with young talent like the Wings. On a few occasions this season, Seattle has started out strong but then collapsed in the third quarter, ultimately leading to their loss as a fiery comeback effort falls short. While it’s nice to see the Storm show some resiliency and fight to get back into these games, Seattle putting itself in these positions in the first place is a problem. The Storm need to show up for a full 40 minutes, and then, maybe they can finally get back in the win column.
Seattle Storm center Dominique Malonga during the team’s overtime loss to the Dallas Wings on Monday, June 22nd, 2026, at Climate Pledge Arena. (Photo via the Seattle Storm)
Dom Malonga is a Super Star
Dick Fain said it repeatedly on the broadcast, and it became clearer as the game went on that he was speaking the truth: Dominique Malonga is an absolute superstar.
Malonga set a new career-high with 37 points, racking up that total on a 58.3% shooting percentage. Malonga converted 14 of her attempted 24 field goals, making seven of her nine possible free throws.
Malonga is only in her second season of the WNBA, but she is playing like a seasoned veteran. She continues to step up for her team, carrying the offensive load for her team and leading the way as the Storm attempts to get out of the current rough patch that they’re dealing with. It was clear that this loss affected her, but she should not be discouraged; Malonga performed very well.
Seattle Storm forward/center Awa Fam looks to shoot during the team’s overtime loss to the Dallas Wings on Monday, June 22nd, 2026, at Climate Pledge Arena. (Photo via the Seattle Storm)
Rookies Stepped Up
Some of the attention in this game, whether that be from those watching virtually or in the stands, was on Dallas rookie Azzi Fudd, selected first overall in this past year’s draft. While Fudd will get plenty of attention throughout the season, Seattle has both Awa Fam and Flau’jae Johnson, who are budding superstars in their own right, and should get plenty of attention for their play and the potential they’re showcasing for the Storm.
Fam really set the Storm on pace in the first quarter, ending the Wings’ 9-0 run. On top of this, she had 18 points to end the night on a very efficient shooting number from the field. This is now the third time she has reached 18 points in a game, and it is her career high. Fam has looked incredibly comfortable on the court for Seattle early and often, providing great length defensively and showing she can score the basketball from all three levels. The growth of Fam alongside Malonga and Johnson over the next few years will give Storm fans plenty to cheer about.
Seattle Storm guard Flau’jae Johnson looks to shoot during the team’s overtime loss to the Dallas Wings on Monday, June 22nd, 2026, at Climate Pledge Arena. (Photo via the Seattle Storm)
Flau’jae Johnson was also a huge reason why the Storm managed to come back. The Wings had a double-digit lead over the Storm, and Johnson single-handedly cut it down to single digits. She was a real lightning bolt on the court, finishing the night with 11 points while chipping in meaningfully across other key statistics. Flau’jae continues to showcase her ability to impact a game outside of her scoring touch, chipping in with five rebounds, nine assists, two steals, and a block.
Both Fam and Johnson are growing and learning as we progress through the WNBA season. They are strong, young players who will have a chance to progress and really grow into themselves with the Storm, being provided with plenty of runway this year.
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Check out our previous Seattle Storm articles here.
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Cover photo provided by the Seattle Storm.
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