‘We Just Try to Get the Win’: Career-High Performances From Maddy Siegrist, Li Yueru Lift Dallas Wings Past Indiana Fever in Road Thriller

The Dallas Wings (9-24) entered Tuesday night without Arike Ogunbowale, saw a 17-point lead nearly disappear, and still pulled out an 81–80 win over the Indiana Fever (18-15) at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. It marked just the fourth road win of the season (4-12 away) and third victory in a clutch game (3-12) for a team that has sought improvement in both areas, ending a five-game losing streak.

The absence of Ogunbowale was just the latest hurdle in a season defined by attrition. Her right knee soreness marked the 84th game missed this year by Dallas players due to injury or national team obligations. The Wings have played 70% of their games with 10 or fewer players available, often relying on hardship signings, and have had their full 12-player roster for only four games. They are projected to surpass the 100-game missed mark before the season’s end, with Tyasha Harris also sidelined since early in the season due to a knee injury.

“Just next woman up. You’ve got to defend her spot,” Aziaha James said. “She’s definitely a key player for our team, and to have her down, the next person just has to step in her role, be efficient, and get the job done.”

Maddy Siegrist scored a career-high 22 points on 9-of-13 shooting, and Li Yueru added her own career-best with 20 points off the bench. Paige Bueckers finished with 16 points and eight assists to extend her streak of consecutive double-digit scoring games to 26 — the fourth-longest by a rookie in WNBA history. Myisha Hines-Allen contributed eight points, six rebounds, and a career-best nine assists.

“We were playing to advantages,” Bueckers said. “They were trapping me and trying to get the ball out of my hands, so we played to the four-on-three advantage that creates. People stepped up — Li coming off the bench playing huge, Maddy stepping into the starting lineup playing huge, [Myisha] coming in as a leader and spark off the bench — and everybody contributed. It was just a great team win, and for everybody to play a huge part in it was the best part.”

Haley Jones added five points and four rebounds, Diamond Miller chipped in three points and four assists, and Aziaha James knocked down a three-pointer in five minutes of action. Dallas shot 42.3% from the field (30-of-71) and 30.8% from three (8-of-26), while converting 86.7% of its free throws (13-of-15).

The Wings recorded 25 assists on 30 made field goals and held a 27–10 edge in points off turnovers despite being outrebounded 39–30. They also forced 18 Indiana turnovers, scored 18 fast-break points, and held a 38–34 advantage in points in the paint. Dallas led by as many as 17 points in the win.

The Fever were led by Kelsey Mitchell, who scored 24 points on 7-of-15 shooting, including 4-of-7 from three and a perfect 6-of-7 from the free-throw line. Aliyah Boston added 14 points, five rebounds, and two blocks while shooting 5-of-10 from the floor. Sophie Cunningham matched Boston’s 14 points on 5-of-10 shooting and went 2-of-4 from beyond the arc. Natasha Howard anchored Indiana’s frontcourt with 12 points and a game-high 12 rebounds.

Indiana played without Caitlin Clark (groin) and saw Odyssey Sims make her Fever debut after season-ending injuries to Sydney Colson and Aari McDonald. As a team, Indiana shot 40.9% from the field (28-of-63) and 40.9% from deep (9-of-22), converting 15-of-19 from the free-throw line. They won the rebounding battle 39-30 but were hurt by 18 turnovers, which Dallas turned into key transition points during its second-half surge.

Fast Start Without Arike Ogunbowale

The Wings entered Tuesday determined to set the tone early. With their leading scorer unavailable, the emphasis was on crisp execution, controlling the glass, and forcing Indiana into uncomfortable spots from the jump. Early on, the execution was strong to take control of the game.

Before tipoff, the message from head coach Chris Koclanes was clear — this game would be decided in the trenches. He emphasized that the Wings needed “physicality and toughness right away,” anticipating Indiana’s ability to “muck things up” and restrict freedom of movement.

“We’ve got to demand our space, own catches, handle the ball, handle the pressure, and attack the pressure. I don’t want to see us on our heels — I want to see us attacking early,” he said.

With Ogunbowale sidelined, Dallas rolled out a new starting lineup featuring Grace Berger, Paige Bueckers, Maddy Siegrist, Haley Jones and Luisa Geiselsöder. Berger’s start came in her first game as a rest-of-season signee.

“I thought we were ready to go across the board,” head coach Chris Koclanes said. “A good team win all the way around — the starting group set the tone, and the bench group finished it out. That’s who we are right now. You don’t know when your opportunity comes, but when it does, you have to be ready.”

The Wings and Fever traded baskets for the first 2:37 before Dallas strung together a 7–0 run to go up 11–4. When Yueru checked in midway through the quarter, she immediately provided a spark — knocking down two three-pointers during a 10–1 burst that extended the lead to 21–9.

“I feel — I mean, I like that feeling,” Yueru said. “I can do something inside and try to do more things. I really appreciate my teammates. They try to help me a lot, give me good feeling, and I’m really appreciative.”

Dallas closed the opening quarter ahead 23–15, shooting 44.4 percent from the field while holding Indiana to 26.7 percent and forcing six turnovers that led to 10 points. The early defensive energy matched Koclanes’ pregame challenge, setting the tone.

Jones said the absence of Ogunbowale shifted the approach but also created opportunities for others to step up. The Wings leaned more heavily on ball movement and player motion to generate offense, keeping the Fever’s defense occupied and unable to overload one side of the floor.

“Arike is an amazing scorer and playmaker. Even without the ball, she draws so much defensive attention. We’ll have to work more on our off-ball actions, keep the floor spaced, and be more aggressive,” Jones explained. “The rest of us will need to step up, and I know we will. We’ll still have her vocal leadership from the bench—she’ll be talking to us and telling us what she sees.”

Indiana Fever Close the Gap

In the second quarter, Dallas looked poised to pull away when Siegrist’s transition layup pushed the lead to 34–20. But Indiana, sparked by improved ball pressure and timely shot-making, responded with a 7–0 run to quickly cut into the deficit. The Wings regrouped momentarily, with Siegrist knocking down a corner three and Jones hitting a midrange jumper to restore a 10-point cushion at 39–29.

That momentum was short-lived. The Fever intensified their defensive coverages, switching more aggressively on the perimeter and denying easy post entries. Over the final four minutes of the half, Indiana closed on a 13–3 run, erasing the gap to tie the game 42–42 at the break.

“They definitely did mix it up,” Hines-Allen said of Indiana’s defense. “But I think what we did really well was just keep the ball moving and take open shots. We tried not to take the first shot — even if the first shot was a really good look. We wanted to move it, make them play defense, make them scramble. That was our game plan on the offensive side.”

Siegrist said her focus throughout the game was on doing whatever was necessary to secure the win, especially given the challenge of playing without Ogunbowale.

“For me, the most important thing was getting the win tonight,” Siegrist said. “So whatever that took, knowing that they’re a really tough team, especially at home. That was the mentality going in. Obviously, without Arike tonight we kind of knew it was going to be step-up-by-committee. It feels good when shots go in. I’m just trying to be more consistent — had a couple threes I missed late.”

The Fever’s late surge turned what had been a controlled first half for Dallas into a reset heading into the locker room, putting the onus on the Wings to reclaim their early rhythm.

Dallas Wings Make Third-Quarter Breakthrough

If the second quarter was a test of composure, the third was a statement of intent. Third quarters have been a recurring trouble spot for Dallas this season, often turning competitive games into uphill battles.

Indiana scored the first six points after halftime to lead 48–44, but Dallas answered with an 8–0 run capped by a Siegrist three and a JJ Quinerly triple. The Wings closed the quarter on an 18–3 run to lead 67–55.

The Wings repeatedly generated open looks by playing through Yueru in the post, forcing the Fever to respect her inside presence and limiting their ability to overhelp on shooters. Hines-Allen added energy off the bench, helping sustain the offensive rhythm with timely cuts and smart decision-making.

“I thought we were moving pretty well,” Siegrist said. “Obviously, it helped some people make shots. Li did a great job inside and knowing that we had shooters all around so they couldn’t really help off of her. I thought Myisha did a really good job too, just being a spark and kind of helping us run through the offense.”

Koclanes pointed to the team’s ability to win the third quarter — an area that has caused problems throughout the season — as a key factor in the victory.

“Our third quarter’s been our bugaboo a little bit,” Koclanes said. “So a good first and a third gave us a cushion. Down the stretch, we just gutted it out and had enough there. We got enough stops. That’s what it comes down to — can we still give that type of effort defensively down the stretch. I was really happy with the intensity and physicality we played with.”

Indiana Fever Rally Falls Short

Dallas has struggled to close out tight games this season, often seeing late leads slip away in the final minutes. Missed shots, turnovers, untimely fouls, and needing to get more stops have been recurring themes in crunch-time situations, costing the Wings several winnable games. Tuesday’s matchup carried extra weight — not only was it a test of their ability to execute under pressure, but it was also an opportunity to show growth in handling high-stakes possessions.

Hines-Allen’s three-pointer with 6:38 left gave Dallas a 78–61 lead, but Indiana rallied with a 19–3 run. The decisive play came with 2:31 remaining when Yueru scored through contact on Aliyah Boston and hit the free throw.

“Myisha just told me every time, ‘Try to post up, post up, stay inside,’ and she will pass to me,” Yueru said. “I’m feeling great for this moment. I’m really encouraged by her. She tries to teach me and gives me energy. She brings a lot of energy for me, and I’m really appreciative.”

Hines-Allen reflected on Yueru’s performance, highlighting how her presence was felt on both ends of the floor and how her production in crunch time shaped the outcome.

“Oh, that’s nice of her to credit me, but I just try to keep her confidence up. She dominated today — we don’t win that game without her,” Hines-Allen said. “She got some and-ones; I don’t know how many, but they came in crunch time. Without those strong finishes, I don’t think we win that game. Even defensively, we only win the game because of defense, and it came down to a big stop where she was in the action. Just little things like that and her growth in that area really stood out.”

Yueru echoed that sentiment, stressing that closing out a win like this required everyone to stay locked in on the defensive end and trust each other offensively.

“Like Maddy said, we just try to get the win tonight,” Yueru said. “We try to do small things — do good small things — and try to be better in single defense and offense. For me, I really hope I can keep that feeling for another game and try to keep going more.”

Defense and Bench Impact

The Wings’ win wasn’t just about shot-making — it was rooted in the kind of physical, disciplined defense Koclanes had been calling for since the team’s last meeting with Indiana. Facing an All-Star in Aliyah Boston, Dallas committed to a tag-team approach in the post, blending strength, positioning, and constant activity to disrupt one of the WNBA’s most efficient interior scorers.

Koclanes credited Yueru’s work defensively, pointing to her willingness to battle physically in the paint and hold her ground against one of the league’s most dominant post players.

“Physicality — moving her feet, staying straight up, not backing down — Aliyah Boston is tough — she can take one crab dribble and stick you under the hoop,” Koclanes said. “I loved that we didn’t back down. That was the biggest message — can we bring the fight to them this time?”

Hines-Allen emphasized that the defensive effort on Boston was a shared accomplishment, with Luisa Geiselsöder setting the early tone and Yueru sustaining it for the rest of the night.

“Of course it’s valuable. It started with Lou — Lou got under Aliyah Boston’s skin — and then Li was able to carry it over and keep that energy up,” Hines-Allen said. “The tag team between those two on Aliyah Boston was phenomenal. They both did a great job on her. It was a team effort trying to keep her off the offensive glass and limit second shots, but without those two tag-teaming her, it’s a different game.”

Before tipoff, Geiselsöder spoke about the need for Dallas to sharpen its point-of-attack defense and stay connected off the ball, particularly in pick-and-roll situations. The results were there in this game.

“We need to be better at the point of attack,” she said. “We talk about cushion-to-contact, especially in pick-and-rolls, and both of us need to be up the floor. Everyone has to move on a string so we’re critical on-ball but also helping off-ball—bumping players, making sure they can’t just go where they want. That’s the most important thing, not letting them take the easy route.”

That defensive commitment showed up in the game’s final minutes, where Siegrist credited Quinerly’s ball pressure for sealing the win. Mitchell caught the inbound pass in the corner with a chance to win the game, but Quinerly stayed attached and tightly contested without fouling to seal the victory.

“JJ, she helped us a ton defensively and credit to her,” Siegrist said. “I thought she was really good in the last few possessions.”

Hines-Allen built on that sentiment, highlighting Quinerly’s relentless approach on both ends and her willingness to embrace big moments as a rookie.

“Her grit and willingness to pick up point guards full court, turn them, just be a menace — it makes it hard to even switch when we’re supposed to because she wants to guard the ball,” Hines-Allen said. “As a vet, seeing a rookie work that hard makes you want to play even harder. She got her hands on a lot of passes, and she took care of the ball really well in the second half. I kept telling her to be aggressive — when you draw, look for the kicks, but if they don’t stop you, finish it. Shoot with confidence. I was happy she took the second three after making the first one. Even if you miss, you’ll get another look.”

Bueckers also praised Siegrist’s game, noting how her consistency and willingness to do the little things make her an ideal teammate.

“She’s very low maintenance but does all the things that don’t show up on the stat sheet,” Bueckers said. “On nights like tonight, a lot of what she did did show up on the stat sheet. For her to be consistent and for us to know what we’re getting from her every single night — to be aggressive on both sides of the floor and be an opportunistic basketball player — it’s really easy to play with people like that.”

Dallas Wings Meeting the Challenge

For a team still searching for consistency, Tuesday’s win carried more than just the value of a mark in the standings — it was a response to an internal challenge. After the team’s second-half letdown against the Washington Mystics on Sunday, Bueckers had urged her teammates to back up their words with action, calling for a defensive edge that could hold up in big moments.

Against Indiana, the Wings answered that call.

“I thought we were much better defensively tonight, and one-and-done when we needed to be. They outrebounded us, but it didn’t feel like that. I just think that was the biggest thing down the stretch — knowing we had to get stops and no one’s going to bail us out. We just had to get the stops when we needed them.”

Bueckers emphasized that the team’s defensive commitment was not just the difference in Tuesday’s game but something they can continue to build on moving forward. She framed it as a mindset the Wings need to carry into every matchup, regardless of opponent or venue.

“That was the main message we can take away from tonight — if our defense is locked in, the offense will come,” Bueckers said. “We can always rely on our defense.”

Bueckers also spoke in detail about Yueru’s importance when opponents double-team her, explaining how the center’s ability to score inside and step out to the perimeter changes the geometry of the floor. She noted that having Yueru as both a post threat and a shooter forces defenses into constant rotations, creating better looks for everyone else.

“It’s really important for her to be able to stretch the floor and be a threat from the outside,” Bueckers said. “It forces defenses to be in constant rotation to cover her out of a trap. She was aggressive in the paint, finishing well, and it all started on defense.”

Numbers That Mattered

Coming off a game in which the Mystics’ traps had bogged down their offense, the Wings knew execution against pressure would be critical against Indiana. This time, they answered the call. Bueckers, who won two consecutive Rookie of the Month awards, navigated those same defensive looks with poise, shifting her focus from scoring to facilitating while still finding ways to impact the game.

Indiana’s traps challenged Bueckers’ efficiency, but she found other ways to contribute, which Koclanes said spoke to her decision-making and trust in her teammates.

“With Paige, they got more aggressive in the second half, and she’s just going to make the right play over and over,” Koclanes said. “Six-for-19 — not her most efficient game — but those eight assists. With Arike out, she shouldered such a load. That gets to you when you’re asked to make play after play. She’s an incredible rookie — trusted her teammates and made simple reads.”

Hines-Allen praised her rookie point guard, noting both her poise under defensive pressure and her willingness to take on difficult assignments.

“She also did a great job defensively on Kelsey Mitchell, which is a tough assignment. She took that challenge head-on from the start.” Hines-Allen said. “As the No. 1 pick, she has a lot of pressure, but she carries herself professionally every single day — on and off the court. She does the little things people don’t see, and she has a championship mentality. I’m super excited for her and what she’s going to continue to do in this league.”

Looking Ahead

For a team that has struggled to close games this season, Tuesday’s win was a needed boost. It wasn’t just about getting a result — it was about proving they could execute under pressure, answer an opponent’s run, and keep composure in a building where momentum can shift quickly.

Koclanes said the win was a reflection of full effort, emphasizing the team’s ability to respond in a hostile environment and finish the game with composure.

“Proud that we hung in there and eked that one out in a tough environment,” Koclanes said. “This is one of the best places to play — their fans show out, it’s loud. When they go on runs, it gets loud. For us to get enough stops when we needed them and throw enough punches back — it was a really good growth moment for our young group.”

The Wings host the Los Angeles Sparks in their annual Rock The Pink game Friday at 6:30 p.m. CT on ION.

More Dallas Wings News & WNBA Rumors

• WNBA News: “I’ve Really Been Enjoying My Time Here”: Grace Berger Grateful for Rest-of-Season Contract With Dallas Wings
• WNBA News: Paige Bueckers, Myisha Hines-Allen to Play vs. Indiana Fever; Arike Ogunbowale’s Status Uncertain
• WNBA News: Grace Berger Lands Rest-of-Season Contract With Dallas Wings Before Indiana Fever Matchup
• WNBA News: “Put Action Behind Our Words”: Paige Bueckers Urges Dallas Wings to Turn Talk Into Results After Fifth Straight Loss
• WNBA News: “Adrenaline Is a Hell of a Drug”: Paige Bueckers Managing Back Injury as Dallas Wings Share Status vs. Indiana Fever
• WNBA News: “Our Intensity Has to Stay the Same”: Dallas Wings’ Strong Start Fades in Loss to Washington Mystics
• WNBA News: “Paige Will Be a Unifier”: Curt Miller Details Dallas Wings’ Roster Plan Around Paige Bueckers