Flau’jae Johnson Sets the Tone - as Sparks' Struggles Continue
- Jackie Rae
- 11 hours ago
- 3 min read
Before Monday night's game against the Los Angeles Sparks, Seattle Storm’s Flau'jae Johnson said something that perfectly explained what was about to unfold.
"When I'm the best version of myself, we win games."
Johnson wasn't talking about scoring points. She was talking about responsibility.
She explained that being at her best means impacting every possession—not just offensively, but defensively, on the glass, as a facilitator, and as someone who refuses to disappear when the game demands aggression.
Then she went out and proved it.
Johnson accounted for all 13 of Seattle’s points early, carving into the Los Angeles Sparks defense with a level of control that made the outcome feel inevitable before the game ever settled in. By the end of the first quarter, the Storm held a 20–15 lead, and Johnson had already made it clear: this was her game to manage.
Her “best version” isn’t just about scoring. It’s about presence — on both ends of the floor — and, just as importantly, perspective.
“If I’m thinking about a game, it’s probably because I haven’t watched the film,” she said. “When I watch the film, I always think, ‘Damn, you didn’t do as bad as you thought you did.’ Or, ‘You weren’t as good as you thought you were.’”
That self-awareness showed up immediately. The Sparks had no answer for Johnson in the opening quarter. And while Los Angeles managed to hold her to just two points in the second, the damage had already been done. More importantly, the defensive attention she commanded opened the floor for others.
Dominique Malonga and Jade Melbourne took full advantage, each dropping 10 points before halftime giving Seattle a comfortable 11 point lead.
In the locker room, Sparks head coach Lynne Roberts likely echoed what has been a season-long theme: execution for a full 40 minutes. And with 20 minutes left to play the opportunity to win was still there.
But opportunity looks different when you’re without Kelsey Plum and Cameron Brink.
To their credit, the Sparks didn’t fold.
Early in the third quarter, there was a spark — the kind this team has been searching for. Emma Cannon found Chance Gray for an assist that ignited the crowd. Dearica Hamby followed with a strong finish, forcing a Seattle timeout. Then Kate Martin, a fan favorite, knocked down a deep three, and suddenly Crypto.com Arena felt alive again.
For a moment, it felt like the narrative might shift.
There has been a consistent belief that this Sparks team simply hasn’t had the time to find its rhythm, weighed down by a demanding schedule. With rest, with cohesion, with their full roster — maybe this is a team that fights its way back into games like this.
But “maybe” continues to be the problem.
Because while the Sparks searched for momentum, the Storm stayed disciplined. They protected the ball, controlled the glass, and moved with purpose. And through it all, Johnson remained the steady force — not forcing the moment, but owning it.
She finished with 23 points, while Natisha Hiedeman added 15 and Melbourne contributed 11. It was more than enough to hand Los Angeles another loss.
At 8–11, the Sparks are running out of time for moral victories and “almost” moments. The effort is there. The flashes are there. But results are not.
And at some point, the question shifts from patience to accountability:
Is it time to rethink the strategy?
Comments