In the WNBA, the Seattle Storm snapped an 11-game losing streak by beating the New York Liberty (99-88), powered by record 28 points from Flau’jae Johnson and a double-double from Dominick Malonga. Meanwhile, ahead of a key 2026 World Cup match in Seattle, Iran and Egypt are shunning political commentary and keeping their focus on soccer. Both teams are chasing a spot in the knockout stage.
Seattle Storm ends 11-game losing streak: Flau’jae Johnson posts a record 28 points
After a long, punishing run of setbacks, the Seattle Storm finally could breathe easier. The team that set a franchise low for consecutive losses (11 games) defeated the New York Liberty 99-88 at home at Climate Pledge Arena. The star of the evening was Flau’jae Johnson, who scored 28 points—her WNBA career high. Still, the win wouldn’t have been possible without strong team support, and particularly important was Jade Melbourne’s return. Having missed the previous game with a foot injury, Melbourne came back and scored 18 points—the best mark of her season. Her nine points in the third quarter helped the Storm climb out of a game-changing stretch and build a decisive lead.
The game wasn’t easy. The first half belonged to the hosts, but after the break the rhythm shifted. That’s where Melbourne stepped in: her offensive energy jolted the team. Johnson’s three-pointer just seconds before the end of the third quarter stretched the margin to 12, and in the final stretch the Storm wouldn’t let go of their opponent. The Liberty, sitting second in the Eastern Conference (12-7), was without Breanna Stewart—this was the superstar’s first missed game of the season, a day off. Stewart, who helped Seattle win the championship in 2018 and 2020, is currently in the league’s top 10 in scoring (19.4 points, eighth) and rebounding (8.8, sixth).
Dominick Malonga deserves special mention: she scored 20 points and recorded her third double-double in the last four games. More than that, early in the game she became the youngest player in WNBA history to reach 500 career points. Earlier on Monday, Malonga set another record as the youngest player to score 30+ points in a single game (37 points against the Dallas Wings), and also the youngest to reach 200 made field goals. In that game versus Dallas, Seattle lost in overtime 110-112, which marked the 11th straight defeat. But despite the overtime loss, the team took pride in its effort and carried that confidence into the matchup with the Liberty. In the end, the Storm improved their record to 4-15, ending the dark streak.
It’s worth clarifying what a “double-double” means: it’s a statistical achievement when a player reaches double digits in two categories (for example, points and rebounds). Malonga’s record for the youngest age to reach 500 points is especially impressive given that she is only 20 years old. The success shows how the young Frenchwoman is developing even amid the team’s troubles. Her accomplishments, along with Johnson’s leadership and Melbourne’s timely return, offer hope that the Storm can climb out of the bottom of the standings. As noted in an article by The Seattle Times, the team showed character and didn’t allow the losing streak to break it psychologically.
Seattle Storm snaps 11-game losing streak with win over New York Liberty
After a long stretch of struggles, the Seattle Storm finally could breathe easier. Against the New York Liberty, the team snapped its 11-game losing streak with a 99-88 victory. The game at home at Climate Pledge Arena became a real showcase for young talent—one that delivered not only the long-awaited win, but also several personal records. As reported in KOMO, the key figure was rookie Flau’jae Johnson, the 22-year-old guard who posted a career-high 28 points. She made 11 of 23 shots from the field and grabbed 9 rebounds. But the biggest surprise of the night was Dominick Malonga—a center who not only recorded a second straight double-double (20 points and 10 rebounds), but also became the youngest player in WNBA history to reach 500 career points. She also set a league record for the earliest to reach 200 defensive rebounds. For those unfamiliar with basketball terminology, a double-double is a stat line where a player records double digits in two categories—such as points and rebounds. In this game, Malonga put in an impressive performance near the rim, especially in the crucial fourth quarter, when she scored six of the team’s last ten points, preventing opponents from cutting the lead down to a dangerous minimum.
The Storm got the game going strongly and went into the break up 48-40. However, the Liberty weren’t ready to give up: in the fourth quarter, they cut a 16-point deficit down to eight points with three minutes remaining. But Malonga’s timely plays and steady production from Jade Melbourne (18 points), A’vae Fom (15), and Natisha Hiedman (11) helped the Storm hold on. Hiedman, for her part, crossed the 2,000-career-point mark in this game. On the New York Liberty side, Jonquel Jones led with 26 points, and Leonie Fiebich added 19. Sabrina Ionescu, one of the team’s leaders, scored 14 points and recorded 5 assists, but it wasn’t enough to break Seattle’s resistance. This victory was Seattle’s first since May 24, and their record now stands at 4 wins and 15 losses. The team remains near the bottom of the standings, but this kind of success can be an important psychological boost. Up next for Seattle is a home game against the Atlanta Dream, while the Liberty will travel to face the Golden State Valkyries. The match showed that the young Storm roster has potential—and even in a tough season, bursts of talent can raise expectations for improved results.
Iran and Egypt step away from politics ahead of key 2026 World Cup match in Seattle
On the eve of the decisive group-stage match of the 2026 Men’s World Cup between the national teams of Iran and Egypt—which will be played in Seattle—both sides are deliberately avoiding any questions not directly related to soccer. Before the Iranian delegation’s press conferences, FIFA released an official statement saying that players and the coaching staff would answer only questions about tactics, the lineup, and the upcoming match. Iranian head coach Amir Ghalenoei, speaking through a translator, stressed several times: “We’re here to play soccer. And for nothing else. Our whole focus is on tomorrow’s game, on success. We’re not going to think about what’s happening outside the pitch.” Those remarks were a response to the inevitable questions from reporters about how the team will stay focused on the match amid the political and social events unfolding during the tournament in the United States.
Tensions around the match are running extremely high. The game was initially scheduled for the start of Seattle’s Pride weekend, and the local organizing committee announced that it would be part of celebrations for the LGBTQ+ community. That sparked particular controversy because in Iran and Egypt, same-sex relationships are criminalized. In addition, over the course of the past six months, Iran’s participation in the tournament was in doubt due to the intensifying conflict in the Middle East following strikes by the United States and Israel. The Iranian team also faced serious logistical difficulties: it had to move its base camp to Tijuana, Mexico, because of visa problems, and for the first two matches in Los Angeles, teams were allowed to arrive only one day before the game, while other teams came two days in advance. Only before the trip to Seattle were the Iranians allowed to fly in on Wednesday. “It was our right that we were denied in the previous games,” Ghalenoei said.
Still, soccer remains the priority. A win over Egypt would send Iran to the knockout stage for the first time in history; a draw could also give them that opportunity depending on certain results in the parallel match. Iran began the tournament with a 2-2 draw against New Zealand and a painfully dull scoreless draw with Belgium—described by former Swedish forward Zlatan Ibrahimović on Fox Sports as “sleep-inducing.” The only bright moment was a spectacular save by goalkeeper Alireza Beiranvand, who, with his left hand, turned away a shot into an open goal from Belgian player Maxim De Cuyper. “I’m focused only on tomorrow’s match,” Beiranvand said through a translator. “I hope Iran reaches the knockout stage for the first time, but tomorrow—only Egypt.”
Egyptians also have plenty to play for, having never advanced beyond the group stage either. Their first-ever tournament victory came in Vancouver, when the Pharaohs beat New Zealand 3-1. A win over Iran would guarantee Egypt first place in the group and a return to Seattle for the round of 16, where their possible opponent could be South Korea. “We want to reach the knockout stage in a way that is worthy of Egyptian soccer and the national team,” Egypt coach Hossam Hassan said, also refusing to comment on anything other than the match.
Symbolism is inevitably in the spotlight as well. At Iran’s previous matches in Los Angeles, fans brought the pre-revolution “Lion and Sun” flag, which is banned by FIFA. However, the Iranian delegation—and the Egyptian one, too—continues to steer clear of political topics. As noted in an article by The Seattle Times, organizers and journalists have to respect the teams’ right to talk only about sport, even when questions about pride and flags are unavoidable.
The match itself promises to be historic for both squads. Regardless of who wins, fans will be watching for a spot in the knockout stage, where every ball and every action can determine the teams’ fates. For now, the key takeaway from the pre-match press conferences is that sport is trying to stay out of politics—even when politics keeps knocking insistently on the locker-room door.
