Full Breakdown
Storm’s Eight-Game Skid Extends After Heart-Breaking 76-72 Loss to Golden State Valkyries
6/13/2026, 1:22:33 PM
Background & Context
Seattle entered the June 12 matchup with a 3-12 record and an eight-game losing streak, the longest in the WNBA this season. Two nights earlier the Storm fell 88-83 to the Los Angeles Sparks, prompting questions about their ability to finish close games. Golden State, at 8-5, came off an 87-81 victory over the Phoenix Mercury and was looking to solidify its position near the top of the Western Conference.
Core Event: Final Minutes at Climate Pledge Arena
The game remained tight through three quarters. Golden State built a 69-57 lead with 4:23 left, then went cold, finishing the fourth quarter 1-for-16 from the field. Seattle rallied, cutting the deficit to 71-70 after Dominique Malonga’s free throws with 50.3 seconds remaining. Rookie guard Flau’jae Johnson missed a contested layup with 24.2 seconds left, and Natisha Hiedeman’s hurried three-pointer was blocked. Tiffany Hayes was fouled, sank two free throws, and a subsequent block by Kiah Stokes sealed a 76-72 Valkyries win.
Key Figures & Groups
- Natisha Hiedeman (Seattle guard) – career-high 26 points, five three-pointers.
- Flau’jae Johnson (Seattle rookie guard) – 12 points, missed final layup.
- Dominique Malonga (Seattle forward) – 13 points, key free-throw draws.
- Janelle Salaün (Golden State forward) – 22 points, five three-pointers.
- Gabby Williams (Golden State forward, former Storm player) – 19 points, perfect free-throw shooting.
- Tiffany Hayes (Golden State guard) – 17 points, 7-of-7 from the line, reached 5,000-point/900-assist/300-steal milestone.
- Kiah Stokes (Golden State center) – blocked Hiedeman’s final three-pointer.
- Veronica Burton (Golden State guard) – 11 points, eight assists.
- Sonia Raman (Seattle head coach) – emphasized recovery and development during upcoming break.
- Nakase (Golden State head coach) – highlighted defensive confidence and teaching focus.
Data & Statistics
- Final score: Golden State 76, Seattle 72.
- Shooting: Golden State 36 % FG, 22 % 3-PT; Seattle held Valkyries to 1-for-16 in the fourth quarter.
- Free throws: Golden State 20-of-23; Williams 5-of-5, Hayes 7-of-7, Hiedeman 5-of-5.
- Rebounds: Golden State 33, Seattle 31.
- Turnovers: Seattle generated points off Valkyries’ turnovers in the final stretch.
Official Statements & Responses
Hiedeman praised the team’s perseverance, noting that the Storm “never give up” and that the effort to fight back was a source of pride. Raman described the five-day break as essential for physical recovery and for “individual work” on player development before the next game in Portland. Nakase stressed confidence in the defensive finish, saying the team “ended with our defense again” and that teaching moments would be emphasized during the pause.
Criticism & Opposition
Williams warned that the Valkyries “can’t come out and just expect teams to roll over,” urging greater energy and respect for the Storm. Analysts also highlighted Seattle’s recurring difficulty closing games, a concern raised after the Sparks loss and evident in the missed layup and blocked three-pointer in the final seconds.
Why It Matters / Impact
The loss extends Seattle’s skid to eight, deepening pressure on a young roster still learning to close out games. The upcoming five-day rest offers a rare opportunity for the Storm to address execution issues before facing the expansion Portland Fire. For Golden State, the win preserves a winning record but exposes a fourth-quarter offensive collapse that the coaching staff must resolve to remain competitive in the playoff race.
Verbatim Quotes
- “We don’t ever give up, regardless of the score,” — Natisha Hiedeman, Seattle Storm guard
- “It’s just controlling things that we can control,” — Flau’jae Johnson, Seattle rookie guard
- “We can’t come out and just expect teams to roll over,” — Gabby Williams, Golden State Valkyries forward
- “No problem. I just thought we closed really well,” — Nakase, Golden State head coach
- “That’s incredible coming from a player who maybe was about to walk away from the game and came back,” — Nakase, on Tiffany Hayes
What’s Next
Seattle will travel to Portland for its first game against the expansion Fire on Wednesday, hoping to break the losing streak. Golden State returns to the Chase Center on Monday for a home game against the Los Angeles Sparks, where the team will look to improve its fourth-quarter shooting while maintaining defensive intensity.
