DHJ Quick Take: Arike Ogunbowale Available Against Las Vegas Aces
- Ogunbowale Available: Guard Arike Ogunbowale has been cleared to play against the Las Vegas Aces at College Park Center after being a game-time decision with an illness.
- A Reshaped Starting Five: Ogunbowale starts at small forward in a lineup adjusted around Alanna Smith‘s absence, with Azzi Fudd at shooting guard and Maddy Siegrist at power forward.
- Smith The Lone Absence: Forward Alanna Smith is the only Wings rotation player ruled out, sidelined with an illness.
ARLINGTON, Texas — Arike Ogunbowale has been cleared to play for the Dallas Wings against the Las Vegas Aces on Thursday at College Park Center, the team confirmed on its final status report. Ogunbowale had been a game-time decision with an illness and went through her pregame routine before being listed as available.
Her clearance keeps one of the Wings’ top scoring options in the lineup against the reigning WNBA champions. Ogunbowale is averaging 15.4 points, 2.1 rebounds, and 3.0 assists in 31.9 minutes per game and poured in 19 points with 5 assists and a season-high 5 made 3-pointers in Sunday’s 91-76 win over the New York Liberty at Barclays Center.
The Dallas Wings’ Adjusted Starting Lineup
With Ogunbowale available but Alanna Smith ruled out, the Wings will start guard Paige Bueckers, Azzi Fudd, Ogunbowale, Maddy Siegrist, and Jessica Shepard. Bueckers and Fudd hold down the backcourt, with Ogunbowale sliding to small forward, Siegrist starting at power forward in Smith’s place, and Shepard anchoring the middle.
Head coach Jose Fernandez said earlier that Fudd was set to start regardless of Ogunbowale’s status.
“Azzi was going to start regardless today,” Fernandez said. “So if everybody was healthy, our starting lineup was going to be Paige, Azzi, Arike, Alanna and Jess.”
Alanna Smith Ruled Out
Smith, who has started all 7 games for the Wings this season at the five, is sidelined with an illness. She has averaged 3.7 points, 3.4 rebounds, and 2.0 assists in 17.4 minutes per game.
Bueckers is available after carrying a left leg designation that had her listed as probable. Development player Dulcy Fankam Mendjiadeu is also available, while development player Costanza Verona is out for a coach’s decision.
Thursday’s Matchup
Tip-off is 7 p.m. CT on Prime. Las Vegas holds a 46-36 edge in the all-time series, and Dallas hasn’t beaten the Aces in the regular season since 2024.
More Wings Coverage on Dallas Hoops Journal
- Maddy Siegrist To Start For Dallas Wings As Alanna Smith Sits vs. Las Vegas Aces
- Paige Bueckers Cleared To Play For Dallas Wings Against Las Vegas Aces
- ‘I Would Not Hesitate Shooting’: Azzi Fudd Details UConn Approach That Unlocked Historic Game vs. New York Liberty
- ‘We’re Guarding Her With Five’: Paige Bueckers, Jose Fernandez Detail A’ja Wilson Matchup
- Dallas Wings Injury Report: Paige Bueckers, Alanna Smith Listed Ahead Of Las Vegas Aces Matchup
- Dallas Wings Practice Interviews: Paige Bueckers, Azzi Fudd And Jose Fernandez (May 27, 2026)
- ‘We Can Do Anything’: How Awak Kuier’s Two-Way Surge Is Giving Dallas Wings A Key Chess Piece
- Paige Bueckers On Azzi Fudd’s Breakout Game vs. New York Liberty: ‘We Knew It Was Only A Matter Of Time’
- ‘The Numbers Don’t Lie’: Azzi Fudd’s Rookie Record, Dallas Wings’ Suffocating Second Half Power 91-76 Win Over New York Liberty
