What we've learned about rebuilt Seattle Storm after 3 games | Analysis

The question required a little bit of self-reflection, which isn't something Sonia Raman has done as she finishes her first week at the helm of the Storm.

What have you learned about yourself as a head coach in the WNBA?

Raman pondered the inquiry for a moment but admittedly was unable to give a good answer.

At least, not now when the short-handed Storm (1-2) are wrapping up a three-game road trip, which ends Sunday with a nationally televised matchup against the Indiana Fever (1-1) and Caitlin Clark.

"I don't know if I've had a lot of time to reflect on those types of (questions)," Raman said. "I'm very much in the day-to-day right now of looking at what I'm learning about our team. Just a young group.

"So, every day, I'm trying to figure out what are the best actions to put them in, what are our best lineup combinations. How do I continue to bring our young players along. Bring (Dominique Malonga) along and find the best ways for us to target her. So, I'm very much in that mode right now, but maybe a little bit down the line we can revisit that question."

It's way too early to make any definitive statements about the Storm, but here are three things we learned after three games.

Malonga is dominating - at times

The Storm are without veteran forward Ezi Magbegor (foot) and rookie center Awa Fam (overseas), which isn't necessarily a bad thing considering their absences have pushed Malonga to the top of the offensive pecking order.

Paired alongside veteran center Stefanie Dolson, the 6-foot-6 Malonga has posted a couple of 21-point performances, which is one shy of her career high.

She's averaging 16.0 points, which ranks third among WNBA centers behind Las Vegas' A'ja Wilson (20.0) and Washington's Shakira Austin (17.0).

Malonga, who is shooting 47.5% from the floor and 40% on three-pointers, is also averaging 7.3 rebounds, 2.0 blocks and 1.0 steals in 26.6 minutes.

She outclassed Golden State's Kiah Stokes and Toronto's Nyara Sabally while combining to shoot 50% (17 of 34) on field goals.

Malonga struggled in a matchup against future Hall of Famer Brittney Griner when she had six points and four fouls. Griner tallied 16 points.

On Sunday, Malonga faces another stiff test against All-Star center Aliyah Boston.

Melbourne has been magnificent

Granted it's a small sample size, but Jade Melbourne has been the Storm's most consistent performer.

The backup point guard has scored in double figures in every game despite losing half of a tooth after a hard foul in the opener and taking an inadvertent elbow that bloodied her lip in Game 2.

Melbourne is averaging 14 points, a team-high 5.0 assists and 1.7 steals while shooting 61.9% from the field, including 50% on three-pointers.

She appears to have repaired what had been an unreliable perimeter shot and has made great strides on the defensive end.

At her current pace, Melbourne will push for Most Improved Player honors and a spot in the starting lineup, particularly if she continues to average nearly six free-throw attempts per game.

Making threes, defending threes is imperative

It might be something or nothing, but the team with the most three-pointers has won each of the Storm's first three games.

That could be an ominous omen, considering it's unlikely Lexi Brown explodes for five three-pointers off the bench like she did in the win against the Connecticut Sun.

Natisha Hiedeman (1 for 9) and Jordan Horston (0 for 3) have started the season on three-point shooting slumps, which puts pressure on rookie guard Flau'jae Johnson and Dolson to make perimeter shots among the starters.

It remains to be seen when Raman will tinker with the Storm's 10-player rotation, but sharpshooter Katie Lou Samuelson should help an offensive attack that ranks 11th in scoring while averaging 80.7 points.

Defensively, Storm opponents average 29.7 three-point attempts and 11.3 three-point goals - both league highs.

The Storm allow 38.2% on shots behind the arc, which is tied for the second most in the WNBA.

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This story was originally published May 15, 2026 at 5:01 PM.