Key Points
- Match Outcome: The Seattle Storm beat the Toronto Tempo 90-78 on Wednesday night at Climate Pledge Arena in Seattle.
- Top Scorers for Seattle: Flau’jae Johnson scored 20 points for Seattle, while Dominique Malonga added 18. Jade Melbourne had 16 points and seven assists, with Awa Fam and Zia Cooke each scoring 10.
- Seattle’s Team Record: The win lifted the Storm to 8-31 and ended a run in which they had lost 14 of their previous 15 games.
- Toronto’s Absences: Toronto was without its top three offensive players. Marina Mabrey missed the game with an adductor injury, Brittney Sykes was recovering from a foot injury, and Nyara Sabally was sidelined with a calf issue.
- Top Scorers for Toronto: Rookie Kiki Rice posted a season-high 24 points, while Isabelle Harrison had 17 points and 14 rebounds for the Tempo, who fell to 11-27.
- Third-Quarter Run: Seattle finished the third quarter with an 11-4 run to take a 64-61 lead before opening the fourth with a 9-2 burst that gave the Storm a 10-point advantage.
- Upcoming Schedule: Toronto will travel to Las Vegas on Friday night, while Seattle will host the Los Angeles Sparks on Sunday.
Seattle (Evening Washington News) August 27, 2026 – Flau’jae Johnson poured in 20 points, and Dominique Malonga added 18 as the Seattle Storm broke out of a prolonged slump to defeat a severely depleted Toronto Tempo squad 90-78 on Wednesday evening at Climate Pledge Arena.
As reported by The Associated Press, the victory elevates the Seattle Storm’s record to 8-31 on the 2026 WNBA season, providing a much-needed morale boost after enduring a brutal stretch that saw them drop 14 of their previous 15 matches. Meanwhile, the Toronto Tempo dropped to an 11-27 record on the campaign, forced to navigate the road fixture without their primary offensive engine due to mounting injuries.
How Did the Seattle Storm Overcome the Toronto Tempo?
The match proved tightly contested through the first three quarters before the hosts mounted a decisive surge. As detailed by sports journalists covering the fixture, Seattle closed out the third frame on a sharp 11-4 run, transforming a deficit into a narrow 64-61 lead heading into the final stanza.
Building on that momentum, the Storm opened the fourth quarter with a 9-2 scoring burst that stretched their advantage into a comfortable double-digit cushion. As noted in game summaries, Jade Melbourne orchestrated the offense effectively, chipping in 16 points alongside seven assists, while contributions off the bench from Awa Fam and Zia Cooke—who added 10 points apiece—helped seal the outcome.
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Who Were the Standout Performers for the Toronto Tempo?
Playing without their regular offensive focal points, the Toronto Tempo relied heavily on rookie resilience. As reported by The Associated Press, Toronto was forced to take the floor without their top three leading scorers: Marina Mabrey, who was sidelined with an adductor injury; Brittney Sykes, out due to a foot issue; and Nyara Sabally, nursing a calf injury.
Stepping into the primary leadership role, rookie Kiki Rice delivered a stellar performance, establishing a new season high with 24 points for the Tempo. Frontcourt teammate Isabelle Harrison also anchored the visitors’ efforts beneath the rim, compiling a formidable double-double consisting of 17 points and 14 rebounds. Despite these valiant individual displays, the short-handed visitor rotation ultimately lacked the depth required to withstand Seattle’s late-game surge.
What Lies Ahead for Both Teams in the WNBA Schedule?
With the regular season drawing toward its conclusion, both franchises face immediate turnarounds as they battle through their remaining fixtures. As highlighted by sports correspondents, the Toronto Tempo will pack their bags immediately to travel south for a challenging matchup against Las Vegas on Friday night.
Conversely, the Seattle Storm will enjoy a brief respite before returning to home turf at Climate Pledge Arena on Sunday, where they are scheduled to host the Los Angeles Sparks as they look to build on this rare victory.
