The Portland Fire returned to winning ways with a gritty 77-72 victory over the Seattle Storm, snapping a three-game losing streak and earning just their second road win of the 2026 WNBA season. French guard Carla Leite led the way with a game-high 20 points as Portland improved to 9-12, while Seattle slipped to 5-17.
Portland endured a sluggish start, managing just 10 points in the opening quarter after struggling to find its rhythm offensively. Despite the poor shooting display, the Fire stayed within striking distance thanks to their defensive effort and dominance on the boards.
Leite spearheaded the comeback, finishing with 20 points, four assists and a perfect 12-for-12 from the free-throw line. Bridget Carleton added 14 points and seven rebounds, while Megan Gustafson chipped in with 10 points and nine rebounds to provide valuable support.
Seattle was led by Dominique Malonga, who scored 22 points, but the Storm struggled to match Portland’s physicality in the closing stages. The Fire controlled the rebounding battle 37-25 and capitalised on second-chance opportunities, helping them overturn the early deficit.
Portland also benefited from disciplined play at the foul line, converting crucial free throws down the stretch to keep Seattle at bay. Strong execution in the pick-and-roll and timely defensive stops allowed the visitors to close out the contest and secure a much-needed confidence-boosting victory.
The win provides fresh momentum for the expansion franchise as it prepares for a challenging stretch of the season, while Seattle will look to regroup after missing an opportunity to build on its recent improvement.
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