Full Breakdown
Seattle Storm Defeat Toronto Tempo 90-78, Ending Three-Game Skid
8/28/2026, 11:32:57 AM
Core Event: Storm Edge Tempo in Seattle
On a Wednesday night at Climate Pledge Arena, the Seattle Storm rallied to a 90-78 victory over the short-handed Toronto Tempo. Rookie guard Flau’jae Johnson led Seattle with 20 points on 9-for-15 shooting, while Jade Melbourne added 16 points, six rebounds and seven assists. Dominique Malonga contributed 18 points and seven rebounds, and Awa Fam and Zia Cooke each scored 10. For Toronto, Kiki Rice posted a season-high 24 points, and Isabelle Harrison recorded a double-double with 17 points and 14 rebounds.
Background & Context
Toronto entered the contest without its top three scorers—Marina Mabrey (adductor), Brittney Sykes (foot) and Nyara Sabally (calf)—all sidelined by injuries. The Tempo had claimed the first meeting of the season on May 30 in Toronto, setting up a rematch in Seattle. The Storm, at 8-31, had lost 14 of their previous 15 games and were seeking to halt a three-game losing streak.
Data & Statistics
- Final score: Seattle 90, Toronto 78.
- Seattle’s largest lead: 14 points.
- Turnovers: Seattle 10, Toronto 13.
- Rebounds: Toronto 43, Seattle 37.
- Points in the paint: Seattle 50, Toronto 44.
- Third-quarter run: Seattle closed the period on an 11-4 spurt to take a 64-61 edge.
- Fourth-quarter surge: Seattle opened with a 9-2 run, extending the lead to double digits.
Official Statements & Responses
Head coach Sonia Raman highlighted the team’s improved ball security, noting the low turnover total and the “high-level sharing the ball” that characterized the win. She praised the backcourt’s aggressiveness early in the game and stressed the need for more experience defending leads in the final minutes. After the game, Johnson reflected that the victory felt like a “release” and emphasized the team’s focus on continual improvement despite being out of playoff contention.
Verbatim Quotes
- “Just really high-level sharing the ball and being intentional,” — Sonia Raman, coach
- “I know our starts haven’t been good, and I’m the point guard that starts it off, so I knew like I wanted to come in on the front foot and be aggressive,” — Jade Melbourne
Why It Matters
The win snapped Seattle’s three-game skid and provided a morale boost for a squad sitting at the bottom of the WNBA standings. While the Storm remain far from a postseason berth, the performance demonstrated the potential of its young core to compete when executing clean possessions and capitalizing on opponent injuries.
Timeline
- May 30 – Toronto Tempo won the first season meeting in Toronto.
- Wednesday night – Seattle Storm secured a 90-78 victory over Toronto at Climate Pledge Arena.
What’s Next
Seattle will host the Los Angeles Sparks on Sunday, the final game before the league’s two-week break for the FIBA World Cup. Toronto’s next stop is Las Vegas on Friday.
