When 12,500 fans entered Climate Pledge Arena, most expected a routine Las Vegas Aces victory. For three quarters, that script held true. Becky Hammon’s squad looked ready to tie the WNBA’s all-time win streak, leading by double digits. But then, a 19-year-old rookie shifted the balance. Dominique Malonga, the second overall pick in the 2025 draft, checked back in with 6:04 left, and Seattle’s fortunes flipped.

Unlike her top-draft counterpart Paige Bueckers, Malonga thrives on the defensive end. Against the Aces, that unglamorous strength became Seattle’s secret weapon. A’ja Wilson, the reigning MVP, had been dominating every inch of the court. But the French teenager met the moment, cutting off Wilson, contesting shots, and forcing the Aces into mistakes at crunch time.

After the Storm pulled off an 86-83 shocker, WNBA reporter Jessica Benson summed up the twist perfectly. “The Storm overcame a double-digit deficit to eventually snap the Aces’ 17-game winning streak. And that will be the biggest headline from last night… But the revelation in that game to me was Dominique Malonga.” 

Benson doubled down on her praise for the rookie’s impact. “We have not talked enough about her this season, but the Storm rookie, who was 19 years old when she was drafted. She was the youngest player ever drafted into the WNBA. And last night, she was shutting down A’ja Wilson. Her defense was one of the primary reasons that the Storm ultimately won that game. I saw an ESPN analytics post that the Aces had a 97.5 percent chance to win the game with 6:04 left. They were up 10. That’s when Dominique came back in the game. The Aces went nearly 5 minutes without a field goal.”

Seattle’s defense proved decisive, holding A’ja Wilson to just 1-of-3 shooting in the fourth quarter. Nineteen-year-old Malonga delivered the standout stop, cutting off Wilson’s path to the rim when the Aces led 79-70. Forced to pass instead of finishing inside, Wilson later misfired on a crucial attempt in the final minute. A shot that might have sealed the win for Las Vegas. But it became a shot that changed the scales in favor of Seattle.

Malonga ended the night with 11 points and 10 rebounds, her first postseason double-double. But numbers don’t capture her presence. Seattle’s defense instantly tightened when she stepped back on the floor. She also gave Seattle a clutch and one that gave the Storm a one-point lead with about 30 seconds left. “Big moment for a 19-year-old as a rookie,” said the WNBA reporter.

Wilson still finished with 21 points, 13 rebounds, and five assists, but her rhythm was disrupted when Malonga forced her into tougher looks. For a player averaging just 14.3 minutes during the regular season, this was a breakout moment. Her composure stood out most. Instead of shying away, Malonga ran the floor with confidence, converted a transition layup to tie the game, and absorbed contact with 31 seconds left to give Seattle its first lead. She sank the free throw, showing poise well beyond her years.

That energy ignited her teammates and turned the arena into a wall of noise against the Aces. They forced Las Vegas for a third game, and the Storm’s head coach is already planning some tactics around the rookie.

Dominique Malonga key part of Seattle Storm’s game 3 strategy, along with two veterans

Seattle Storm HC Noelle Quinn’s decision to stick with Malonga and veteran guard Erica Wheeler in crunch time proved decisive. It wasn’t just about scoring; it was about setting a tone of toughness. The Storm flipped the momentum against a team that hadn’t lost since early August. When asked if Malonga could start in the decisive Game 3, Quinn smiled and said, “That would be telling you the game plan.” The coy response only added intrigue for fans, but what’s certain is that the rookie will be central to Seattle’s adjustments.

While Malonga stole the spotlight, it was veterans Skylar Diggins and Nneka Ogwumike’s charge that led to a close game. Diggins finished with 26 points on 50 percent shooting with seven assists, while Ogwumike added 24 points and 10 rebounds. Their two-woman game was unstoppable. Ogwumike admitted, “A lot of people talk about our two-man game being one of the deadliest in the game, so it receives a lot of attention. It wasn’t easy to play through, but we’re always going to figure it out the two of us.”

This was a stark contrast to Game 1, when the Aces shut them down in a 102-77 blowout. In Game 1, the Ogwumike-Diggins duo managed only 23 points and five assists. Game 2 was a redemption arc for them. Their combined 50 points and 10 assists turned a looming defeat into a stunning victory. With the Aces’ defense locked on the pick-and-roll from the duo, Malonga and Wheeler found open looks, each contributing 11 points off the bench. This strategy will be the key for Seattle to take down Las Vegas at their home in Game 3.

But the Game 3 at Michelob Ultra Arena will be a decisive test. Can a rookie center help eliminate the defending champions on their home floor? Noelle Quinn’s strategy may stay hidden, but one thing is certain. Dominique Malonga has already proven she belongs on the biggest stage, and she might just be the key to Seattle’s playoff survival.