Dominique Malonga Shines in Seattle Storm’s Playoff Victory

When Dominique Malonga entered the game in the fourth quarter of Tuesday’s playoff matchup between the Seattle Storm and the Las Vegas Aces, the odds were not in her team’s favor—ESPN gave the Storm just a 2.5% chance of winning. Seattle was down by 10 points and faced a formidable opponent who had won 17 games in a row.

Yet, in just a few moments, she made her mark. At 19 years old, she blocked a shot from Jackie Young and grabbed a rebound on her very first play.

By the end of the night, she had cemented her status as a hero.

Malonga was selected second overall by the Storm in the 2025 WNBA Draft and has experienced a typical rookie season, logging more minutes than many of her peers in May and June. However, as the season progressed, her opportunities and impact grew significantly, and Seattle needed every bit of her contribution to keep their playoff hopes alive. Notably, she blocked not just Young, but also three shots from MVP A’ja Wilson.

With just 31 seconds left in the game and Seattle trailing by two, she executed a crucial layup, becoming the youngest player in WNBA playoff history to not only tie the game but also to come up big in such a pivotal moment.

Malonga wrapped up the match with 11 points, 10 rebounds, three assists, and two blocks—though her influence went beyond stats. In the 23 minutes she played, the Storm outscored the Aces by 11 points, marking her as the most impactful player on the court.

Dominique Malonga’s Defense Against A’ja Wilson

In the second half, Malonga played a key role in limiting A’ja Wilson to just five points. Remarkably, Wilson scored nothing during the last six minutes of the game, largely thanks to Malonga’s defensive efforts.

Seattle’s win was a cumulative effort, fueled by stellar performances from various players, while the Aces struggled with uncharacteristic decisions throughout the match.

Skylar Diggins led the Aces with 26 points and 7 assists, while Nneka Ogwumike contributed 24 points and 10 rebounds. Erica Wheeler also made a significant impact off the bench with 11 points—all during the crucial final minutes of the fourth quarter.

Although Diggins, Ogwumike, and Wheeler are seasoned players seasoned in high-pressure moments, Malonga, still a teenager, proved crucial in saving Seattle’s season on Tuesday night.