Flau'jae Johnson Stars Against Angel Reese as Storm Earn Convincing Win Over Dream

Flau’jae Johnson enjoyed a memorable night against a familiar face on Saturday, leading the Seattle Storm to a convincing 105-90 victory over the Atlanta Dream. The rookie guard produced one of the strongest performances of her young professional career while facing former LSU teammate Angel Reese for the first time in the WNBA.

The matchup carried extra significance because Johnson and Reese were instrumental members of LSU’s national championship team in 2023. Their success together in college made them one of the sport’s most recognizable duos, but Saturday marked another chapter in their careers as opponents on opposite sides of the court.

Following the final buzzer, a brief moment between the former teammates drew attention when Johnson attempted to exchange a handshake with Reese before leaving the floor. The interaction appeared awkward, although it was only a brief moment during an otherwise competitive contest.

More importantly for Seattle, Johnson’s standout performance helped the Storm secure an important victory. Supported by balanced scoring throughout the lineup, Seattle delivered one of its most complete offensive efforts of the season while giving its rookie another confidence-building performance.

1. Former LSU Teammates Meet as WNBA Opponents

Johnson and Reese built a successful partnership during their time at LSU, helping the Tigers capture the 2023 NCAA national championship while becoming two of college basketball’s biggest stars. Their chemistry on the court played a major role in LSU’s championship run, and both players entered the WNBA with high expectations after distinguished collegiate careers. Although they now represent different organizations, their shared history continues to attract attention whenever they meet. Saturday provided the first opportunity for the former teammates to compete against one another as professionals. Johnson, now beginning her rookie campaign with Seattle, entered the game eager to make an impact against a player she had once celebrated victories alongside. After the game concluded, Johnson attempted to greet Reese with a handshake before leaving the court. The exchange did not unfold as expected, briefly becoming a talking point following the game, though the interaction did little to overshadow the competitive nature of the contest itself.

2. Johnson Delivers Breakout Performance

The biggest story of the evening remained Johnson’s performance. The rookie finished with 24 points and 11 rebounds, recording one of her most productive games since entering the WNBA. Johnson displayed confidence throughout the contest, attacking the basket, finishing scoring opportunities, and contributing on the glass. Her all-around effort helped establish Seattle’s offensive rhythm while demonstrating why the organization remains optimistic about her long-term development. She was far from alone in carrying the offensive load. Awa Fam enjoyed an outstanding shooting night, scoring 21 points while converting eight of her nine field-goal attempts, including five of six from three-point range. Her efficiency provided another major boost for the Storm. Natisha Hiedeman added 20 points and six assists, Dominique Malonga contributed 16 points and 11 rebounds for a double-double, and Jade Melbourne chipped in 10 points along with five assists. The balanced scoring attack proved too much for Atlanta to overcome as Seattle controlled much of the game.

3. Storm Seek Momentum Moving Forward

The victory improved Seattle’s record to 5-15, giving the Storm a welcome boost after a challenging start to the season. Although they remain near the bottom of the Western Conference standings, the performance offered encouraging signs for the team’s future. Johnson’s continued development has become one of Seattle’s biggest positives. Each strong outing provides further evidence that the rookie can become an important part of the franchise’s long-term plans, particularly as she gains experience against established WNBA competition. For the Storm, Saturday’s offensive execution demonstrated the potential of a roster capable of sharing scoring responsibilities across multiple players. Having five players reach double figures highlighted the team’s ability to generate production from several different sources instead of relying on a single star. Seattle now turns its attention to another road challenge against the Phoenix Mercury. With Johnson building confidence and the offense showing improved balance, the Storm will look to carry the momentum from Saturday’s impressive victory into their next opportunity as they continue searching for consistency during the remainder of the season.