Storm Warning — Lexie Brown’s Triple-Barrage Stuns the Sun
Storm Warning — Lexie Brown’s Triple-Barrage Stuns the Sun
UNCASVILLE, Conn. — The Seattle Storm didn't just find their first win of the season on Sunday; they found a flamethrower named Lexie Brown.
In a gritty 89-82 victory over the Connecticut Sun, the Storm proved that even when their big guns are in foul trouble, they have enough firepower to light up the arena. Seattle moves to 1-1, while the Sun are left staring at a winless 0-2 start that nobody in Uncasville saw coming.
Lexie Brown’s "Minute of Madness"
If you stepped away to grab a drink in the third quarter, you missed the Lexie Brown show. With the game hanging in the balance, Brown went on a personal mission, burying four 3-pointers in a span of just 97 seconds. That 13-0 solo-led run flipped a deficit into a 63-54 lead and completely sucked the air out of the Mohegan Sun Arena. Brown finished with 17 points and five triples, proving she’s still one of the most dangerous shooters in the league when she gets a clean look.
Flau’jae and the Bench Brigade
While Brown provided the fireworks, Flau’jae Johnson provided the steady hand, chipping in 16 points. But the real story was the Storm’s bench. Jade Melbourne was a spark plug, dropping 15 points and six assists, while Natisha Hiedeman added 11 against her former team.
The depth was a necessity, as Seattle's rising star Dominique Malonga was haunted by the whistle, limited to just 20 minutes due to foul trouble. Even in short bursts, Malonga showed her sky-high potential with three blocks and two steals, but it was the veterans who closed this one out.
Key Takeaways
Sun Searching for Identity: Despite a monster performance from Aneesah Morrow (17 points and a career-high 16 rebounds), Connecticut couldn't find a late-game stop. Brittney Griner added 16, but the Sun’s defense—usually their calling card—allowed Seattle to hit 10 threes and get to the charity stripe at will.
The HVL Era Begins: In a quick turnaround, Hailey Van Lith made her Sun debut just days after being waived by Chicago. She looked sharp off the bench, contributing nine points and four assists in 20 minutes. If she can stabilize their backcourt, the Sun might turn this around quickly.
Thievery and Freebies: Seattle outplayed Connecticut in the "dirty work" categories, racking up 10 steals and outscoring the Sun by nine at the free-throw line. In a seven-point game, that’s the whole story.
The Stats
Player Points Notable
Lexie Brown (SEA) 17 5-of-9 from 3PT
Flau’jae Johnson (SEA) 16 All-around efficiency
Aneesah Morrow (CON). 17 16 Rebounds (Career High)
Brittney Griner (CON) 16 Dominant in the paint
The Bottom Line: Seattle showed they can win a dogfight on the road, even when fouls mess up their rotations. For the Sun, the panic button isn't pushed yet, but hosting the powerhouse Las Vegas Aces on Wednesday means things aren't getting any easier.
Up Next: The Storm head north to visit Toronto on Wednesday, while the Sun try to avoid a 0-3 start against the Aces.
