The Storm and Aces couldn\u2019t have ended the regular season in more different ways. Las Vegas is riding a 16-game win streak into the playoffs, while Seattle only won six of its fourteen games in August and barely edged out the Sparks for the final playoff spot. The Aces\u2019 surge to the top of the league and the Storm\u2019s drop-off put the two teams on a collision course to meet in the playoffs for the fourth time since 2020.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The Storm may be a bottom-three seed, but they have the best chance in that group to give their first-round opponent a major challenge. Seattle\u2019s roster features four All-Stars\u2014Skylar Diggins, Nneka Ogwumike, Gabby Williams, and Brittney Sykes\u2014and plenty of veteran experience. Meanwhile, the Indiana Fever overcame five season-ending injuries on their way to the playoffs, and the Golden State Valkyries have to brave the postseason without All-Star Kayla Thornton and with the worst offensive rating among playoff teams.\u00a0<\/a><\/p>\n The Storm\u2019s chances of putting up a serious fight against the seemingly unstoppable Aces ride on a surprising wild card: 19-year-old rookie Dominique Malonga.\u00a0<\/p>\n Dominique Malonga has come a long way in her rookie season<\/p>\n Malonga is far from the same player she was at the start of the season. She went from barely playing in most games to regularly playing 20 or more minutes. In just a few months, Malonga gained a tremendous amount of experience and confidence. She recorded three double-doubles in August\u2014two with at least 20 points\u2014and a near double-double with 22 points, 9 rebounds, 2 assists, and 3 blocks in a 95-60 win over the Wings.\u00a0<\/p>\n