In a thrilling matchup that showcased the Seattle Storm's sharpshooting prowess, Lexie Brown caught fire from beyond the arc, draining five 3-pointers and finishing with 17 points to lead her team to an 89-82 victory over the Connecticut Sun on Sunday. The win marked a strong bounce-back performance for the Storm, who improved to 1-1 on the season.
Flau'jae Johnson added 16 points in a balanced offensive effort, while Jade Melbourne provided a spark off the bench with 15 points and six assists. Natisha Hiedeman chipped in 11 points for Seattle, which showcased its depth despite limited minutes from Dominique Malonga, who battled foul trouble throughout the night. Malonga still made her presence felt with seven rebounds, six points, three blocks, and two steals in just 20 minutes of action.
The game's defining moment came in the fourth quarter when Connecticut's Kennedy Burke knocked down a 3-pointer to cut the deficit to 80-79 with 3:38 remaining. But Brown answered the call, driving for a clutch layup that ignited an 8-1 run, giving Seattle an 88-80 lead with just 54 seconds left on the clock. The Storm's ability to respond under pressure proved crucial in securing the victory.
For the Sun, who dropped to 0-2 on the young season, Aneesah Morrow turned in a standout performance with 17 points and a career-high 16 rebounds. Brittney Griner added 16 points, while Diamond Miller contributed 13. Kennedy Burke stuffed the stat sheet with 12 points, six rebounds, five assists, and two blocks.
Notably, Hailey Van Lith made her Connecticut debut after being waived by the Chicago Sky earlier in the week. The No. 11 overall pick in the 2025 WNBA draft finished with nine points and four assists in 20 minutes off the bench, showing flashes of the potential that made her a first-round selection.
Brown's hot streak was particularly impressive in the third quarter, where she drained four 3-pointers in a blistering 1:37 span, capping a 13-0 run that gave Seattle a 63-54 lead. The Storm's perimeter shooting was a key factor throughout, as they connected on 10 three-pointers and also dominated at the free-throw line, outscoring Connecticut 25-16 from the stripe. Their defensive intensity was equally impactful, recording 10 steals to disrupt the Sun's rhythm.