The Connecticut Sun are set to host the Seattle Storm in what promises to be a pivotal early-season matchup, following a standout performance from Storm guard Dominique Malonga. Malonga dropped 21 points in Seattle's 91-80 loss to the Golden State Valkyries, showcasing the kind of scoring spark that could shift momentum for a team looking to bounce back.

Both teams enter this game with a 0-1 record, hungry for their first win. For the Sun, last season was a tough one—they finished 11-33 overall and struggled at home, going 7-15. Defensively, Connecticut allowed 86.0 points per game, with opponents shooting a solid 46.6% from the field. That's a stat they'll need to tighten up against a Storm squad with scoring depth.

The Storm, meanwhile, bring a more balanced resume from last season, finishing 23-21 overall and a respectable 13-9 on the road. Seattle thrived in transition, averaging 17.6 points off turnovers, and got solid contributions off the bench with 18.4 points per game from reserves. Those second-chance points—9.3 per game—could be a key factor against a Sun team looking to shore up its defensive identity.

Injury reports add another layer to this contest. The Sun will be without Leila Lacan (not injury related), while the Storm face more significant absences: Awa Fam (not injury related), Katie Lou Samuelson (knee), and Ezi Magbegor (foot) are all out. That puts added pressure on Malonga and her teammates to step up.

With both teams searching for their first win, expect a hard-fought battle as Connecticut tries to protect home court and Seattle aims to prove its road toughness from last season was no fluke. For fans of the game, this is a chance to see emerging stars like Malonga shine on a big stage.