SEATTLE — Rookie Flau’jae Johnson scored 23 points. The Seattle Storm defeated the Los Angeles Sparks 82-64 on Monday night. The win snapped a three-game losing streak.
Johnson shot 9-of-15 from the field, including four three-pointers. She added five rebounds and three steals. Her 10-point third quarter turned a four-point lead into a 14-point advantage.
“She played with poise beyond her years,” Storm coach Noelle Quinn said postgame. Johnson’s defensive pressure forced two of the Sparks’ 18 turnovers. Seattle outscored Los Angeles 22-8 in points off turnovers.
The Storm (12-14) climbed to the No. 8 seed in the WNBA standings. They sit two games back of the No. 6 seed. The Sparks (11-15) dropped to 10th place.
Seattle held Los Angeles to 36.4% shooting. The Storm switched all screens to neutralize the Sparks’ pick-and-roll. They doubled Nneka Ogwumike in the post, forcing contested jumpers. Ogwumike finished with 12 points on 5-of-13 shooting.
The game headlined a USA Network triple-header featuring Caitlin Clark, Natasha Howard and Ogwumike. Johnson’s breakout added depth to the league’s national TV narrative.
Johnson is averaging 12.8 points per game since entering the starting lineup. Her true shooting percentage sits at 58%.
The Storm face the defending champion Las Vegas Aces on Wednesday. They host the New York Liberty on Saturday.
💡 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
- Q: How did Flau’jae Johnson perform in the game against the Sparks?
- A: Johnson scored 23 points on 9-of-15 shooting, including four three-pointers, along with five rebounds and three steals. Her 10-point third quarter expanded a four-point lead to 14.
- Q: What was the impact of Johnson’s performance on the Storm’s season?
- A: The win snapped a three-game losing streak and moved the Storm to the No. 8 seed in the WNBA standings, putting them two games back of the No. 6 seed and revitalizing their playoff bid.
- Q: How did the Storm’s defense contribute to the victory?
- A: Seattle held the Sparks to 36.4% shooting by switching all screens to counter pick-and-rolls and doubling Nneka Ogwumike in the post. They forced 18 turnovers and outscored Los Angeles 22-8 off turnovers.
- Q: What is Johnson’s recent performance trend?
- A: Since entering the starting lineup, Johnson is averaging 12.8 points per game with a true shooting percentage of 58%.
- Q: Who are the Storm’s upcoming opponents?
- A: The Storm face the defending champion Las Vegas Aces on Wednesday and host the New York Liberty on Saturday.
Extended Reading
Stats via ESPN and Seattle Times game recap. Broadcast details from Versant Media press release (July 6, 2026).