Storm Force a Game Three

It was a must-win game for the Storm, and Climate Pledge Arena came alive. A sold-out crowd in white t-shirts filled the stands, ready to cheer the team to victory.

The Storm entered the first quarter looking to reset the tone after their Game 1 loss in Las Vegas. Skylar Diggins, who led Seattle in scoring, admitted feeling embarrassed about the opener and emphasized the importance of letting the game come naturally as a focus heading into this matchup. The Storm put up 44 points to the Aces’ 45 in the first half.

Instead of a tale of two halves, the game was defined by two pivotal quarters. Las Vegas outscored Seattle 24–17 in the third, but the Storm answered with a dominant 25–14 fourth quarter.

In the decisive moments, rookie Dominique Malonga stepped up, first tying the game with a jumper and then sinking the go-ahead shot to give the Storm an 84–83 lead. Afterward, Nneka Ogwumike praised Malonga’s growth, saying, “we haven’t seen the same Dom in every game.”

With the win, Seattle not only forced a decisive Game 3 back in Las Vegas but also snapped the Aces’ 17-game win streak. Both Diggins and Ogwumike reflected on the team’s mindset, stressing the importance of embracing the moment—even when the purpose of those moments isn’t immediately clear.

The Storm now face the Aces in Game 3 on September 18 in Las Vegas.

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