Storm Warning: Zia Cooke and Flau'jae Johnson Cook the Cold-Blooded Sun in Seattle
Storm Warning: Zia Cooke and Flau'jae Johnson Cook the Cold-Blooded Sun in Seattle
SEATTLE — The Connecticut Sun might want to check the weather forecast next time they fly into the Pacific Northwest, because they just ran headfirst into a Category 5 defensive downpour.
After dropping a heartbreaking, last-second decision to Connecticut on Wednesday, the Seattle Storm didn't just avenge the loss on Friday night—they completely rewrote the narrative. Driven by a career-high 25 points from Zia Cooke and a dazzling breakout performance from rookie phenom Flau'jae Johnson, the Storm absolutely suffocated the Sun 77-59, leaving the visitors searching for answers in the rain.
The Sophomore & The Star Rookie
If Friday night proved anything, it's that the future of the Seattle backcourt has officially arrived. Zia Cooke set the tone early, treating the first half like her personal mixtape by scoring 16 of her 25 points before the teams even headed to the locker room. In fact, during a brutal second-quarter stretch, Cooke outscored the entire Connecticut roster by herself, 8-7.
Meanwhile, Flau'jae Johnson—the No. 8 overall pick in April's draft—had the kind of breakout game that makes front offices look like geniuses. Johnson filled up the stat sheet with season-highs across the board:
Points: 17
Rebounds: 7
Assists: 5
When the Sun threatened to make things interesting in the fourth quarter, cutting Seattle's lead down to seven, it was Johnson who crushed their spirits, burying a cold-blooded three-pointer that ensured Connecticut would never see single digits again.
The Defensive Audit: 11 Baskets in 30 Minutes
For the Connecticut Sun (1-6), this game started out promising and descended quickly into a historical offensive disaster.
The Sun actually led 21-19 after the first quarter, knocking down nine field goals and looking entirely comfortable. Then, Seattle adjusted the blueprint. The Storm defense clamped down so hard that Connecticut managed just 11 total made field goals over the final three quarters combined. You read that right. Thirty minutes of professional basketball, eleven baskets.
Quarter Connecticut Made Field Goals The Reality
1st Quarter 9 Looking Good
2nd, 3rd, & 4th Quarters 11 Complete System Failure
Game Total 20-of-57 (35%) Ice Cold
Diamond Miller fought her way to 13 points, and rookie Aaliyah Edwards chipped in 10, but playing without superstar center Brittney Griner (missing her fourth straight game with a rib injury) left the Sun completely devoid of an interior anchor.
Next Man Up in the Emerald City
What makes this blowout victory even more impressive is that Seattle (2-4) was essentially playing with a makeshift frontcourt. Dominique Malonga remained sidelined in concussion protocol, Ezi Magbegor has yet to log a minute this season, and newly minted No. 3 overall pick Awa Fam just stepped off a plane from Spain after winning a championship with Valencia.
To patch the hole, the Storm signed Joyner Holmes earlier in the day. Holmes apparently didn't need a practice jersey, contributing two points, five rebounds, and three massive blocks in 15 minutes of pure grit. Combined with Natisha Hiedeman’s 11 points, Seattle proved they have the depth to weather any storm.
What's Next?
The Sun will continue their brutal five-game Western road swing when they land in California to face the Golden State Valkyries on Monday night.
Seattle gets to stay cozy at Climate Pledge Arena, kicking off a consecutive two-game home set against the Washington Mystics starting Sunday. If Cooke and Johnson keep cooking like this, Washington is going to need a lot more than an umbrella.
