How to Watch Dallas Wings vs. Washington Mystics: Paige Bueckers Returns From Back Injury in Matchup Against Top Rookies
The Dallas Wings return to the floor Sunday afternoon looking to build on the second-half fight they showed in Friday’s 88–77 loss to the New York Liberty. Tipoff against the Washington Mystics is set for 3 p.m. CT at College Park Center, airing nationally on CBS Sports Network and locally on KFAA29.
On Friday, Dallas trailed by as many as 19 before storming back to cut the deficit to three late in the third quarter. Arike Ogunbowale scored a game-high 17 points, Maddy Siegrist added 15 in just her second game back from injury, and Myisha Hines-Allen posted 12 points, seven rebounds, and two blocks. The Wings’ defensive intensity and transition play fueled a 23–9 run in the third quarter before New York pulled away late.
“We came out with a lot more intention to get out in transition, but that started with getting stops,” Ogunbowale said after Friday’s game. “If we can put two halves together like the second half, I think we’re in good shape.”
Paige Bueckers, the No. 1 overall pick in April’s WNBA Draft, is active after missing Friday’s game with a back injury. She has scored in double figures in all 24 games she has played this season, the sixth-longest streak by a rookie in league history. If she scores in double figures Sunday, she’ll tie Caitlin Clark for the fifth-longest such streak. She’s also posted at least 20 points in four straight games, with Arike Ogunbowale’s 11-game run in 2019 standing as the rookie record.
Washington (13–17) and Dallas (8–23) have split the first two meetings of the season, with each team winning at home. The Mystics feature fellow top-four picks Sonia Citron and Kiki Iriafen, both All-Stars as rookies.
How to Watch Dallas Wings vs. Washington Mystics
Date: Sunday, August 10
Time: 3 p.m. CT
Location: College Park Center — Arlington, TX
TV: CBS Sports Network (National), KFAA29 (Local)
Live Stats: stats.wnba.com
Social Media Updates: Follow @DallasWings and @DallasWingsPR
Dallas Wings Injury Report
- Paige Bueckers: Probable (Back) — Active
- Myisha Hines-Allen: Probable (Left Ankle) — Active
- Tyasha Harris: Out (Left Knee)
Washington Mystics Injury Report
- Georgia Amoore: Out (ACL)
- Shakira Austin: Out (Left Leg)
Paige Bueckers is Building a Historic Rookie Run
Bueckers’ scoring streak has been a constant bright spot for Dallas, and her ability to create offense both on and off the ball changes how opponents defend the Wings. Without her on Friday, New York was able to load up on Ogunbowale, something that will be harder to do with Bueckers back.
“No one’s going to be able to do what she does,” Siegrist said Friday. “But we’re just embracing the people we have right now.”
Dallas Wings Midseason Additions Making Impact
Since joining the Wings, Li Yueru (7.3 points, 6.4 rebounds) and Haley Jones (8.2 points, 3.0 rebounds) have provided needed production. Jones said the trust she’s been shown in different roles has been key:
“They’ve trusted me in different roles — guarding bigs, pushing in transition, making plays. That trust helps.” Yueru has delivered two of her best rebounding performances in a Wings uniform, giving Dallas a stronger interior presence to pair with Geiselsöder.
Grace Berger Moves Into Starting Role
After providing a spark in consecutive games off the bench, Grace Berger will start against Washington. She posted six points, a career-high eight rebounds, and four assists on Friday while taking on more ball-handling duties in Bueckers’ absence.
Berger said her approach is to “be another ball handler… Whether that’s getting us into our sets, defending multiple positions, or crashing the glass, I just want to make sure I’m impacting the game in as many ways as possible.”
More Dallas Wings News & WNBA Rumors
- WNBA News: “Paige Will Be a Unifier”: Curt Miller Details Dallas Wings’ Roster Plan Around Paige Bueckers
- WNBA News: “We’re Really Excited About Arike”: Curt Miller Outlines Arike Ogunbowale’s Prominent Role in Dallas Wings’ Plans
- WNBA News: “We Need to Put Two Halves Together”: Dallas Wings’ Rally Falls Short Without Paige Bueckers in Loss to New York Liberty
- WNBA News: “We’re Taking a Little Bit of the OKC Model”: Curt Miller on the Dallas Wings’ Roster Approach Around Paige Bueckers, DiJonai Carrington Trade and More
- WNBA News: “Preparing to Be in the Playoffs”: Diamond Miller Settling Into Role With Dallas Wings
- WNBA News: “We Gave Them Too Many Open Shots”: Paige Bueckers Scores 21 as Dallas Wings Fall to New York Liberty After Second Half Slide
- WNBA News: Dallas Wings’ Paige Bueckers Earns Second Consecutive WNBA Rookie of the Month Honor
