Janelle Salaun Lit Up Climate Pledge Arena For 20 Points, and the Storm Season Is Already in Trouble
The Seattle Storm's 2026 season started exactly the way you didn't want it to: getting blown out at home by the Golden State Valkyries 91-80 on Friday night. Janelle Salaun was the difference maker, dropping 20 points and tying her career high with five 3-pointers. Veronica Burton added 16 for Golden State, which came into Climate Pledge Arena and took control early, leading 49-41 at halftime and 69-53 after three quarters. Game over.
Golden State's Offense Was Too Much
The Valkyries did damage from everywhere. Seven different Golden State players made a 3-pointer, and the team finished 15 of 37 from distance. That's the kind of balanced scoring attack that's going to win games. Kaitlyn Chen scored all 14 of her points in the second half, and Kayla Thornton chipped in 13. Even Gabby Williams, Golden State's marquee offseason addition returning to Seattle where she played from 2022-25, contributed seven points, six rebounds, and four assists. The Storm's defense just couldn't keep up.
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Dominique Malonga led the Storm with 21 points, and Zia Cooke added 15 off the bench. Jade Melbourne scored 13 and first-round draft pick Flau'jae Johnson had 12 points on 3-of-12 shooting. The problem is when you're giving up 91 points at home in your season opener, individual performances don't cut it. To make matters worse, the Storm are expected to be without starter Ezi Magbegor for six to eight weeks with a right foot injury. That's a massive hit to the rotation right out of the gate.
Golden State had injury problems of their own, with starter Tiffany Hayes leaving with a left pinky injury in the first quarter and Cecilia Zandalasini sustaining a jaw injury in the second quarter, neither returning. But they still had enough to handle business at Climate Pledge Arena.
The Storm head to Connecticut on Sunday to try to bounce back before things get worse.
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This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.