Sarah: Twenty-nine points. Eight rebounds. And a roster so decimated by injuries it looked more like a training camp scrimmage than an WNBA regular-season finale.
Tom: It was brutal, Sarah. The Seattle Storm finished 8-36, but Dominique Malonga carried the offensive load against a Dallas Wings team that had nothing to prove and everything to play for individually.
Sarah: Welcome to the Beatline Podcast Network, where we break down every possession of the WNBA. I’m Sarah, joined by Tom, and today we’re looking at how the Storm’s painful end impacts their offseason strategy, especially with division rivals like Dallas moving on while Seattle starts from scratch.
Tom: Right. We’ve been talking about this injury crisis for three days now. Today, we zoom out. How does an 8-36 record change your view of the Western Conference? What does the draft look like when you’re not fighting for playoff seeding? And what do those 25 points from Paige Bueckers tell us about the gap between these two teams?
Sarah: We’ve got three big topics: First, the reality of the final game against Dallas. Second, how the Storm stack up against their division rivals now that the season is over. And third, what this means for the upcoming draft and free agency. Let’s dive into Segment One.
Tom: Let’s start with the scoreboard. September 24th. Seattle hosted Dallas. Final score: 103-91, Wings win. It wasn’t close, but the storylines were massive. Paige Bueckers dropped 25 points, and Jessica Shepard recorded her sixth triple-double of the season with 20 points, 11 rebounds, and 12 assists.
Sarah: Shepard’s consistency is scary. Six triple-doubles in one season? That’s historic volume. But for Seattle, the headline was Dominique Malonga. She poured in 29 points on her own. Did she have help?
Tom: Not really. Look at the injury report from that night. Taina Mair, Zia Cooke, Katie Lou Samuelson, Ezi Magbegor, Alanna Smith, Azzi Fudd, Costanza Verona. All OUT. Seven key rotation players sidelined. Malonga was basically playing five-on-eight basketball for most of the game.
Sarah: Seven players out. Natisha Hiedeman managed 14 assists, which is incredible distribution, but when you’re missing your starting center and your primary wing defenders, spacing falls apart. Dallas exploited that easily.
Tom: Exactly. Without Magbegor or Smith protecting the rim, Dallas could drive and kick all they wanted. Bueckers scored 25, but Shepard’s playmaking forced Seattle to collapse, opening up easy looks elsewhere. Malonga’s 29 points were heroic, but they weren’t enough to stop a well-oiled machine.
Sarah: It’s hard to watch, Tom. We talked about this in the mailbag yesterday—how much individual brilliance can mask systemic failure. Malonga is clearly an All-Star caliber talent, but you can’t build a contender on one player carrying seven guys.
Tom: Agreed. The stats don’t lie. 8-36. Eighth in the West. When you’re this far out, the defensive rotations are sloppy because there’s no cohesion. You’re just reacting. Dallas played with rhythm; Seattle played with desperation.
Sarah: So, the takeaway from the finale: Malonga proved she can score at this level, but the supporting cast issues are catastrophic. Now, let’s look at the bigger picture. How does Seattle compare to its division rivals heading into the offseason?
Sarah: Before we get to Segment Two, I need to ask you something directly. This show is completely free. No ads. No paywall. Just us, talking basketball. That only works if you chip in to keep the servers running and the mic open. If you love this coverage, please support us through the link in the episode description. It helps us stay independent and bring you daily episodes like this one.
Tom: Thanks for listening. Let’s talk rivals. Dallas finished 26-17, 12-10 in the West. They made the playoffs. Seattle finished 8-36, 1-21. The gap isn’t just wins; it’s infrastructure. Dallas has Bueckers and Shepard. Seattle has... a lot of empty spots on the injury report.
Sarah: It’s stark. When you look at the Western Conference Division standings, Seattle is last. Not just behind Dallas, but likely behind Las Vegas, Phoenix, and Minnesota too. The disparity in talent depth is huge.
Tom: And it’s not just Dallas. Any team with a healthy core can exploit Seattle’s lack of frontcourt size. Remember, Alanna Smith and Ezi Magbegor are gone for the year. Who plays center next year? That’s the question. Dallas didn’t even need to try hard to beat them.
Sarah: Right. And in terms of guard play, Natisha Hiedeman had 14 assists, which shows she can facilitate, but without shooters around her, defenses can clog the paint. Dallas’s defense was disciplined because they had bodies. Seattle’s was chaotic because they were short-handed.
Tom: Chaotic is the right word. Switching was impossible. When you miss Magbegor, you lose rim protection. Opponents drove freely. Bueckers thrived in that environment. For Seattle, the lesson is clear: they need size and they need guards who can create their own shot.
Sarah: So, when we look at the power rankings and the offseason guides, Seattle is at the bottom. But does that make them a better draft pick? Being 8-36 gives you high lottery odds. Is that a blessing or a curse?
Tom: It’s a curse if you don’t draft right. Last year, we predicted 20-25 wins next season if they stay healthy and draft guard depth. That still stands. But if they miss again, they’ll be stuck in the basement longer. The pressure is on management to get the pick right.
Sarah: And we also discussed new faces entering the rotation. With so many veterans out, young players didn’t get consistent minutes to develop. Next season, that changes. But development takes time. Can they afford to wait?
Tom: Let’s talk outside results. The WNBA Finals were won by Las Vegas, beating Phoenix. The Aces are the standard. Meanwhile, Seattle is rebuilding. What does the league landscape mean for them?
Sarah: It means the window for contention is closed for now. Seattle needs to focus on asset accumulation. Draft picks, young talent, maybe a trade for a veteran leader who can mentor Malonga.
Tom: Malonga is the centerpiece. Our prediction was that she’ll average 25+ points per game next season. If she does, and Seattle adds two solid role players, they could be .500. That’s a realistic goal. 20-25 wins is achievable if health holds.
Sarah: But health is the variable. Seven players out in the finale is a warning sign. The medical staff needs to manage load carefully next year. Or, they need more bodies. That’s where the draft comes in.
Tom: Exactly. Depth is king. In the WNBA, injuries wipe out seasons fast. Seattle learned that the hard way. Going forward, they need to prioritize versatility. Players who can guard multiple positions, who can shoot, who can handle pressure.
Sarah: So, the path forward: Draft for depth, protect Malonga’s health, and aim for 20 wins. It’s a long road, but the foundation is there. Just a very thin one right now.
Tom: Thin, but growing. Dominique Malonga showed she can carry a team. Now it’s up to Seattle to build around her. Otherwise, they’ll keep watching from the sidelines.
Sarah: That’s our show. We broke down the 103-91 loss to Dallas, analyzed the gap with division rivals, and looked ahead to the draft. Subscribe, rate, and review us wherever you listen. Help us keep the network strong. See you tomorrow!