By: Jennifer Portee
5/23/2026
The Seattle Storm got exactly what they needed on Friday night: two young players stepping up in a big way.
Zia Cooke and Flau’jae Johnson both had the best games of their seasons, helping Seattle defeat the Connecticut Sun 77-59 and even the tone after a heartbreaking finish in the teams’ previous matchup. Cooke led the way with a career-high 25 points, while Johnson added 17 points, seven rebounds and five assists in a performance that showed just how much she is growing in real time.
Cooke wasted no time. She scored 16 of her 25 points in the first half and gave Seattle the kind of early run that helped the Storm settle in after a slow opening quarter. The Storm trailed 21-19 after one, but by halftime they had grabbed a 37-28 lead and never really gave it back.
Johnson was just as impactful, and maybe even more versatile. The rookie, selected No. 8 overall in the recent WNBA draft, had season highs across the board and looked comfortable making plays on both ends. Her three-pointer early in the fourth quarter helped keep Connecticut from coming back.
Seattle also got a great performance from Natisha Hiedeman, who added 11 points, and from Joyner Holmes, who was signed earlier in the day and contributed two points, five rebounds and three blocks in 15 minutes. With Seattle shorthanded in the frontcourt, every minute off the bench mattered.
That was especially true with Dominique Malonga still in concussion protocol, Ezi Magbegor yet to debut and Awa Fam just arriving from Spain after helping Valencia win the Spanish League title. Seattle’s roster remains in transition, but Friday showed there is still enough talent and toughness to win with what it has.
Connecticut never found its rhythm offensively. After putting up nine baskets in the first quarter, the Sun managed just 11 over the final three periods and finished at 35 percent from the field. Diamond Miller led the Sun with 13 points, while Aaliyah Edwards added 10. Brittney Griner missed her fourth straight game with a rib injury.
The Storm led by as many as 16 in the third quarter, and when Connecticut cut the lead to seven to start the fourth, Seattle answered immediately. Cooke knocked down a free throw, Johnson buried a three, and that was enough to get the win.
For Seattle, this was more than just a bounce-back win. It was a reminder that young players can change the feel of a game when they play with confidence and purpose.
Seattle hosts Washington on Sunday, while Connecticut heads to Golden State on Monday.