Whistles, Treys, and a Splash of Spanish Flavor: Storm Ground Mystics 97-85
Whistles, Treys, and a Splash of Spanish Flavor: Storm Ground Mystics 97-85
SEATTLE — If you are a connoisseur of fine, uninterrupted basketball flow, Sunday’s matchup at Climate Pledge Arena was absolutely not for you. But if you harbor a deep, passionate love for the shrill sound of a referee's whistle and players staring intensely at a painted rim from 15 feet away, oh boy, you just witnessed a masterpiece.
The Seattle Storm outlasted the Washington Mystics 97-85 in a game that felt less like a track meet and more like a courthouse deposition. The teams combined for a staggering 75 total free throws, including 52 in the second half alone. Rumor has it the officials are currently icing their wrists after blowing them to a pulp.
The Headliners: Hiedeman & Flau'jae Show Out
When they weren't marching to the charity stripe, the Storm (3-4) were actually putting on a clinic.
Natisha Hiedeman was an absolute menace, tying her career high with 24 points. She hit a triple early in the second quarter to give Seattle a lead they refused to surrender, then capped the half with a buzzer-beating, long-distance floater that felt borderline disrespectful.
Flau’jae Johnson played the role of ultimate co-star, stuffing the stat sheet with a season-best 17 points, 7 rebounds, and 5 assists.
Seattle was sizzling from deep, knocking down a season-high 13 3-pointers on 46.4% shooting, while simultaneously turning the free-throw line into a personal ATM by hitting 32 of 34 (94%).
Meanwhile, the Mystics (2-3) apparently forgot to pack their perimeter GPS, shooting a dismal 20% (4 of 20) from beyond the arc. They tried to compensate by living at the foul line (35 of 41), led by Sonia Citron’s 16 points, but you can't win a shootout with a butter knife.
The "Bienvenido a Seattle" Moment
The real intrigue, however, was the highly anticipated debut of Awa Fam. The No. 3 overall draft pick practically walked off a transatlantic flight and straight onto the hardwood. After helping Valencia secure a Spanish League title just days ago, the 6-foot-4 center showed exactly why Seattle fans should be thrilled she skipped her post-championship siesta.
Fam, who doesn't even turn 20 until June 17, logged 20 minutes, chipped in 10 points, and scored her first official WNBA bucket off a picture-perfect pick-and-roll with Flau'jae Johnson late in the second. Not a bad way to introduce yourself to the neighborhood.
Perfect Balance: While Dominique Malonga missed her fourth straight game in concussion protocol, veteran Stefanie Dolson decided missing shots was entirely optional. Dolson posted 16 points while going a flawless 3-of-3 from the field, 2-of-2 from deep, and 8-of-8 from the line. Statistically perfect. Chefs kiss.
By The Numbers
Team FG% 3PM-AFT% Top Scorer
Washington Mystics Sub-par4-20 (20%) 35-41 (85%) Sonia Citron (16)
Seattle Storm Red-Hot13-28 (46.4%) 32-34 (94%) Natisha Hiedeman (24)
Up Next
The Storm have officially snapped their recent skid and look like they're building an absolute wagon. Luckily for Washington, they don't have to wait long for revenge—or for their ears to stop ringing from the whistles.
The two squads lace 'em up and do it all over again this Wednesday right here in Seattle. Grab your earplugs.
