Dominique Malonga Gets It Done In Small Doses

Dominique Malonga, the second-overall WNBA draft pick by the Seattle Storm, finds herself in an atypical situation for a top rookie. Unlike many lottery picks who receive heavy minutes on struggling teams for development, Malonga averages under 10 minutes per game. This contrasts sharply with first-overall pick Paige Bueckers, who plays significant minutes for the Dallas Wings. Malonga's limited playing time stems from her rawness at just 19 years old, the Storm's experienced core (Nneka Ogwumike, Skylar Diggins, Gabby Williams, Ezi Magbegor), and frontcourt depth.

Head coach Noelle Quinn carefully manages Malonga's minutes, often shielding her from tough matchups against elite post players or teams that lock down the paint, resulting in sporadic appearances. However, this scarcity made her performance against the Chicago Sky particularly notable. In a career-high 17 minutes during a 95-57 Storm blowout win, Malonga recorded 14 points, 10 rebounds, three assists, and two blocks. This made her the youngest WNBA player ever to achieve a double-double and the youngest to score 100 career points.

Facing a shorthanded Sky team missing key players, Malonga showcased her unique physical tools. Her 6-foot-6 frame deterred opponents at the rim, and she displayed surprising agility and length to score through contact and switch effectively onto wings. Coach Quinn acknowledged the favorable matchup allowed Malonga to demonstrate her hard work and progress, though she emphasized managing the ups and downs of her development.

Quinn has primarily used Malonga as a situational "changeup" option, injecting energy or a different look off the bench. This role yielded success in limited bursts, like a 10-minute second-half stint against the Liberty where she scored 11 points and grabbed 8 rebounds. While her minutes remain inconsistent, the article suggests her performance against the Sky represents an important step. Establishing herself as an impactful bench player and excelling against depleted teams are seen as early markers on her path from prospect to potential star. The next phase involves developing the consistency to force Quinn to play her in any matchup.