The Dallas Wings return home to College Park Center on Friday night to open a three-game homestand against the Seattle Storm. Tipoff is slated for 6:30 p.m. CT on ION.
Friday marks the Wings’ annual “Celebrate Arlington” game presented by Arlington CVB, which will feature a business showcase on the concourse, recognitions of local community leaders, and a digital scavenger hunt.
Dallas (9–27) was eliminated from playoff contention on Wednesday in Los Angeles despite a record-setting performance by rookie Paige Bueckers, who scored 44 points in an 81–80 loss on a Kelsey Plum buzzer beater. Seattle (18–18) enters fresh off a 94–88 road win over the Chicago Sky behind 24 points from Skylar Diggins.
The Wings and Storm will meet for the fourth and final time this season. Seattle won the first two matchups before Dallas responded with an 87–63 victory at Climate Pledge Arena on July 22, led by Luisa Geiselsöder’s 13 points on 3-of-5 from three.
How to Watch Dallas Wings vs. Seattle Storm
Date: Friday, August 22
Time: 6:30 p.m. CT
Location: College Park Center — Arlington, TX
TV: ION (National)
Live Stats: stats.wnba.com
Social Media Updates: @DallasWings | @DallasWingsPR
Dallas Wings Injury Report
- Arike Ogunbowale: Out (Right Knee Tendinitis)
- Tyasha Harris: Out (Left Knee Surgery)
- Li Yueru: Out (Left ACL Sprain)
- JJ Quinerly: Out (Left Knee Injury)
Seattle Storm Injury Report
- Katie Lou Samuelson: Out (Right Knee Injury)
Paige Bueckers Makes WNBA History
Paige Bueckers grabbed national headlines Wednesday, scoring 44 points on 17-of-21 shooting, including a perfect 4-of-4 from three and 6-of-6 from the line. She became the first player in league history to score 40 or more while shooting over 80 percent from the field.
Bueckers broke Candace Parker’s rookie scoring record of 40 points set in 2008 and tied the Wings’ franchise record for most field goals in a game (17). Her outburst also moved her past Arike Ogunbowale for most double-digit scoring games by a rookie in franchise history (29).
“Repetition in practice and games, learning, watching film—finding ways to get to my spots more efficiently, attacking mismatches, using teammates as screeners, attacking in transition,” Bueckers said. “Every possession is different, so it’s just reading the game and taking what the defense gives you.”
Her teammates continue to marvel at her consistency and shot-making ability, with Maddy Siegrist offering the highest praise after the record-setting night.
“She’s so efficient, it’s unbelievable,” Siegrist told DallasHoopsJournal.com. “For a rookie, I don’t even have words. Just unreal. I’m so happy I get to play with her.”
Maddy Siegrist’s Scoring Surge
Since returning from a knee injury on Aug. 5, Siegrist has elevated her play, averaging 15.7 points over the last seven games while shooting 58 percent from the floor. She set a new career high with 23 points against the Las Vegas Aces on Sunday and added 13 points with three steals and three blocks against Los Angeles.
Siegrist pointed to the Sparks matchup as an example of progress despite the late-game setback.
“Yeah, I mean, I thought we did a lot of good. They’re a talented team. Holding them to 81 points is great. Obviously this is not the way we wanted it,” Siegrist told DallasHoopsJournal.com. “We’ve gotta be a little bit better down the stretch.”
She also emphasized how facing top competition offers perspective for a young roster.
“I think you gotta see, like, Vegas is obviously a playoff team and the Sparks are trying to be a playoff team,” Siegrist explained to DallasHoopsJournal.com. “I think you just see, okay, this is where we gotta be. If anything, take it like that.”
Amy Okonkwo Set for Dallas Wings Debut
The Wings signed 6-foot-2 forward Amy Okonkwo to a seven-day hardship contract this week. A two-time AfroBasket MVP and Olympian with Nigeria, she averaged 14.2 points and 5.2 rebounds for Bourges in France last season while shooting nearly 48 percent from three.
Okonkwo’s opportunity carries special meaning after interning with the Wings’ basketball operations staff in 2018 before her senior season at TCU.
“Oh, no. It’s amazing being able to play here in Dallas,” Okonkwo told DallasHoopsJournal.com. “Going to TCU and watching games, working for the Wings in 2018 as an intern, and then coming back to be able to play and be on the court is an amazing feeling. I’m really grateful for the opportunity.”
What’s at Stake
Dallas will play its 28th game this season with 10 or fewer available players, with only nine in uniform Friday, including hardship signee Okonkwo. The Wings are aiming to even the season series at 2–2, while Seattle continues its playoff push.
More Dallas Wings News & WNBA Rumors
- WNBA News: “It’s Amazing Being Back”: Once an Intern, Amy Okonkwo is Set for Dallas Wings Debut Against Seattle Storm
- WNBA News: JJ Quinerly Ruled Out Friday Against Seattle Storm as Dallas Wings’ Injury Toll Nears 100 Games Lost
- WNBA News: Dallas Wings’ Li Yueru Out for Season With ACL Sprain, Arike Ogunbowale Has No Timetable With Knee Tendinitis
- WNBA News: “Li Was a Big Presence”: Li Yueru Out for Season With ACL Sprain, Dallas Wings Adjust Before Los Angeles Sparks Rematch
- WNBA News: “Our Spacing and Ball Movement Are Encouraging”: Arike Ogunbowale Sidelined With Knee Tendinitis as Dallas Wings Offense Surges
- WNBA News: “We’ve Got to Be Better Defensively”: Dallas Wings Overwhelmed by Las Vegas Aces’ 18 Threes, A’ja Wilson in Loss
- WNBA News: “It’s About How You Contribute to Winning”: Paige Bueckers Breaks Dallas Wings Rookie Assist Record, Fastest to 500 Points
- WNBA News: “I Saw That Dog in Her Today”: Paige Bueckers Shines but Dallas Wings’ Late Rally Falls Short vs. Los Angeles Sparks
- WNBA News: “Paige Will Be a Unifier”: Curt Miller Details Dallas Wings’ Roster Plan Around Paige Bueckers
