Storm's young core offers glimpse of massive potential after Liberty takedown

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Don't let the Seattle Storm's 4-15 record this season fool you.

No, the Storm is not going to make a miraculous rally and reach the playoffs. For a franchise so used to success -- no team has won more WNBA titles than Seattle -- that win-loss record can be tough to stomach.

But the Storm's young core is gelling in a way that should greatly excite Seattle fans -- and strike fear into the rest of the league.

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The Storm's 99-88 win over the New York Liberty on Thursday served as a showcase for Seattle's three young stars: second-year big Dominique Malonga, and rookie duo Awa Fam and Flau'jae Johnson.

Johnson scored 28 points -- the most by a Seattle rookie since Breanna Stewart in 2016 -- to help the Storm snap what had been a nasty 11-game losing skid. Johnson hasn't shot the ball particularly well as a rookie, but the former LSU star is coming into her own after she flashed elite scoring ability in the NCAA.

The future is bright in Seattle ✨

Flau'jae Johnson finished with career highs of 28 points and four made threes, while adding 9 rebounds and 3 steals to help power the @seattlestorm back into the win column.

Her 28 points are the most by a Storm rookie since 2016… pic.twitter.com/qcwJsYCq5P

— WNBA (@WNBA) June 26, 2026

Malonga, the second overall pick in the 2025 draft, had a 20-point, 10-rebound double-double. She followed up a 37-point explosion against Paige Bueckers and the Dallas Wings on Monday with her third double-double in four games.

And Fam, this year's third overall pick, scored an efficient 15 points for her seventh double-digit scoring game following her delayed start to the WNBA season.

Seattle young core tonight in a win over NY:

Flau'jae Johnson: 28 PTS, 9 REB, 48% FG
Dom Malonga: 20 PTS, 10 REB, 75% FG
Awa Fam: 15 PTS, 6 REB, 67% FG

I don't know if any team is in a better spot for the next decade+

— Hunter Cruse (@HunterCruse14) June 26, 2026

On top of that, because the Storm is likely to have one of the WNBA's three worst records, Seattle will be picking toward the top of a loaded 2027 draft class.

That class includes the likes of Madison Booker, Hannah Hidalgo and JuJu Watkins.

After consecutive playoff appearances, the Storm is taking a step back in 2026. But Seattle is poised to enjoy long-term success with a sterling young trio that is taking flight under rookie head coach Sonia Raman.