The Seattle Storm are having a rough one, real talk. With an 8-35 record, they've set the league's single-season loss record and are locked into last place. But look past the scoreboard, and you’ll see Flau'jae Johnson absolutely eating on the court.
Since being traded to Seattle on draft night, the No. 8 overall pick has been putting up serious numbers. We’re talking 14.8 points, 4.8 rebounds, 2.9 assists, and 1.4 steals per game. She’s officially smashed the Storm rookie records for total points (605), 3-pointers (60), and steals (57).
The struggle is real, but the future is bright
It hasn’t been easy for Johnson, who went from winning a national title at LSU to playing for a team that has dropped 16 "clutch" games—the third-most in a single season since 2006. She’s been open about how hard the losing streak has been, even getting emotional after recent losses.
But the vibe in the locker room isn't all bad. Johnson is the veteran of a core that includes 20-year-old studs Dominique Malonga and Awa Fam. The team’s inability to close out close games is basically just growing pains for a super young squad that’s still learning the system. Johnson herself has shown major improvement lately, shooting 65.2% in the restricted area and 40.8% from deep over her last 10 games.
Why it matters
Johnson is proving that she’s a franchise cornerstone. Despite the team's record, she’s evolving into a high-level playmaker and gaining the experience needed to turn those narrow losses into wins next season. She’s essentially a lock for the All-Rookie team, and her work ethic shows that the best is yet to come for this young Storm crew.
