The Los Angeles Sparks opened a three-game homestand looking for a much-needed win, but instead ran into a determined Seattle Storm squad that controlled the game from start to finish.

Although Seattle entered the matchup with just five wins in its first 22 games, the Storm showed no signs of playing like one of the WNBA’s bottom teams. Rookie guard Flau’jae Johnson, making her first career appearance in Los Angeles after starring at LSU, wasted no time making an impact. She scored Seattle’s first 13 points of the game, setting the tone with her aggressive scoring and confidence.

The Sparks struggled to keep pace offensively as Seattle’s defense disrupted their rhythm throughout the first half. The Storm built an 11-point halftime advantage behind Johnson’s hot shooting and balanced offensive execution.

Seattle took complete control in the third quarter. The Storm’s defense held the Sparks to just eight points in the period while guards Natisha Hiedeman and Jade Melbourne knocked down timely shots to fuel a decisive run. By the end of the third quarter, Seattle had stretched its lead to 68-45, putting the game well out of reach.

Johnson continued her impressive debut in Los Angeles, finishing with 23 points in just 23 minutes to lead the Storm to an impressive 82-64 road victory.

For the Sparks, the loss marked their third consecutive defeat, dropping them to 8-11 on the season. Los Angeles will now look to regroup as the remainder of its homestand continues, hoping to rediscover the consistency needed to get back into the win column.

Seattle, meanwhile, heads back on the road for the next two weeks with momentum after one of its most complete performances of the season.