A Historic Performance in the All-Star Spotlight
For some time, fans and analysts alike viewed it as an inevitability: Seattle Storm center Dominique Malonga would eventually record a dunk in the WNBA. The 2026 All-Star Game provided the perfect stage for the 6-foot-6 standout to finally make it happen.
During the second quarter of the annual exhibition, Malonga electrified the crowd by throwing down a dunk, assisted by Angel Reese. According to the Storm, this feat cements her place in league history as the seventh player to record a dunk in an All-Star contest and the youngest to do so at just 20 years old.
Setting New Benchmarks
Malonga’s impact didn't stop with the dunk. She further solidified her breakout performance by becoming the youngest player to ever record an All-Star Game double-double. Playing off the bench for Team Coop, she finished the night with 12 points and 13 rebounds. Despite her impressive individual effort, Team Spoon ultimately claimed a 129-122 victory.
Context and Expectations
While Malonga has demonstrated her dunking ability previously—during her time playing in Europe, in the Unrivaled league, and in her first practice with the Storm—it had remained an elusive feat in her first 63 regular-season WNBA games. Her performance became a lighthearted subject of pre-game banter, with teammate Flau'jae Johnson jokingly declaring, «she would never speak to her again if she didn't pull it off.»
With the milestone achieved, the team's locker room dynamic remains intact. While Malonga has clearly taken a significant developmental leap in her second professional season, the Seattle Storm continue to face challenges, currently holding a 6-23 record at the halfway point of the season.