The Seattle Storm showed incredible patience with rookie Dominique Malonga. As the youngest player in the league, Malonga needed some time to adjust to her new surroundings, and the Storm gave her that time, bringing her off the bench and giving her extended minutes against favorable matchups to gain confidence. By the time the regular season drew to a close and the Storm secured a playoff spot, Malonga was ready to take on a bigger role.
She averaged 11.8 points, 6.2 rebounds, 1.2 assists, and 1.8 blocks in 21.6 minutes over the last ten games of the regular season. She carried that same kind of production over to the postseason, recording two consecutive double-doubles and making history in the process. Malonga became the first teenager to record a double-double in the WNBA playoffs and the youngest player to help decide a playoff game in the clutch.
She's only 19‼️
— espnW (@espnW) September 17, 2025
Dominique Malonga is the youngest player in WNBA playoff history with a game-tying/go-ahead FG in the final minute of the 4th quarter/OT 🔥 https://t.co/UDYw7HQVZb
Now that the Storm secured a big win and sent their first-round series to three games, Noelle Quinn may consider giving Malonga an even bigger role and maybe even inserting her into the starting lineup.
When Quinn was asked whether she would consider starting the rookie in the postgame press conference, she sort of evaded the question. “That would be telling you the game plan,” Quinn said, drawing laughter from the reporters.
Dominique Malonga was huge in the Storm’s win
Malonga took some time to adjust to the playoffs, missing most of her shots in Game 1. Game 2 looked much different. The rookie was fearless despite having to play against a three-time MVP in her first playoff series, and went 4-7 from the field for 11 points. She also grabbed 10 rebounds, dished out three assists, and got two blocks.
Malonga played 23 minutes—just as many as starter Ezi Magbegor. She was more productive in her minutes than Magbegor, though. The six-year veteran finished the game with 4 points, 5 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 steal, and 2 blocks. Magbegor also had the second-worst +/- on the team with -9 behind Brittney Sykes. Meanwhile, Malonga finished with a +/- of 11 and closed out a clutch game over Magbegor.
While the numbers make a compelling case for Malonga to slide into the starting lineup, there are some risks with making such a big move ahead of an elimination game. For one, the Storm’s starting lineup, particularly Diggins, Williams, Ogwumike, and Magbegor, is very familiar with each other. Changing the starting lineup might disrupt the rhythm they found in Game 2.
Moreover, the Storm would lose an important boost off the bench if they inserted Malonga into the starting lineup. The Aces may not have gotten the greatest production out of their bench in Game 2, but they have a strong second unit with Jewell Loyd, Dana Evans, and Cheyenne Parker-Tyus coming off the bench.
Her teammates raved about Malonga after the game
Skylar Diggins and Nneka Ogwumike were the Storm’s leading scorers in Game 2, but both made sure to give Malonga her flowers after the game.
Diggins praised Malonga for her composure after getting an and-one on a fast break and a chance to give the Storm the lead at the free-throw line. “I’m really impressed by the free throw. That’s a big moment by a 19-year-old,” Diggins said. “We’ve been asking a lot from her all year…it’s really historic what she’s been doing at her age in this league.”
“There is an evolution in every single game that we play. We have not seen the same Dom in two games,” Ogwumike added. “She’s just learning and improving that much and we just try our best to continue to empower her to know how truly capable she is.”