With Arike Ogunbowale sidelined by right knee soreness, the Dallas Wings needed scoring from other sources to snap a five-game losing streak. Maddy Siegrist answered the call.
The third-year forward delivered a career-high-tying 22 points on 9-of-13 shooting in Dallas’ 81–80 win over the Indiana Fever on Tuesday, stepping into the starting lineup and providing consistent offense when the team needed it most.
“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.”
Koclanes praised Siegrist’s ability to impact the game without needing plays run for her, highlighting how her energy translates into production, whether she’s crashing the glass, running the floor in transition, or staying active as a cutter.
“As a coach, you appreciate that—somebody who, through her motor and toughness, the ball finds in transition,” Koclanes told DallasHoopsJournal.com. “Her second-chance points, her timely cutting and crashing—she’s going to put the ball in around the rim. I was happy we beat them in fast-break points and in points in the paint.”
Maddy Siegrist‘s Efficient Scoring Surge Since Return
Siegrist’s breakout came in the midst of her most productive stretch of the season. Since returning from an 18-game injury absence, she has averaged 14.8 points, 3.3 rebounds, and 0.8 assists in 23.6 minutes per game while shooting 61.5% from the field, 36.4% from beyond the arc, and 87.5% from the free throw line.
For the year, she has appeared in 15 games, averaging 10.8 points and 4.7 rebounds and shooting 48.5% overall, 26.8% from deep, and 63.3% at the line. In her young career, she has played 81 games, averaging 7.0 points and 2.7 rebounds while shooting 50.0% from the floor.
Siegrist’s scoring against Indiana came in rhythm with Dallas’ increased ball movement, a necessity against the Fever’s trapping defense. Paige Bueckers noted that opponents’ focus on her opened opportunities for teammates like Siegrist to attack.
“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,” Bueckers told DallasHoopsJournal.com. “Maddy stepping into the starting lineup playing huge, [Myisha Hines-Allen] coming in as a leader and spark off the bench — everybody contributed.”
Maddy Siegrist Brings Consistency on Both Ends
Siegrist sparked runs in both halves, hitting a corner three in the second quarter to steady Dallas after an Indiana push, then burying another from deep in the third to help the Wings reclaim control after trailing early in the half. Other key performances included Li Yueru‘s career-high 20 points, along with Myisha Hines-Allen added eight points, six rebounds, and nine assists.
“I thought we were moving pretty well,” Siegrist told DallasHoopsJournal.com. “Obviously, it helped some people make shots. Li [Yueru] did a great job inside, 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.”
Bueckers added that Siegrist’s game isn’t solely about the points she scores, but the consistency and intangibles she brings each night.
“She’s very low maintenance but does all the things that don’t show up on the stat sheet,” Bueckers told DallasHoopsJournal.com. “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.”
The Wings are benefitting from the impact they sorely missed from Siegrist when she was sidelined due to injury. General manager Curt Miller recently expressed that if she didn’t get injured, there was a realistic outlook for her to be a leading candidate for Sixth Player of the Year or emerge as a key starter.
“Maddy Siegrist’s injury was difficult because she has a knack for scoring,” Miller told DallasHoopsJournal.com. “She was poised to be in the Sixth Player of the Year discussion or help significantly in the starting lineup when injuries hit.”
The Wings will look for Siegrist’s continued production when they return home Friday to face the Los Angeles Sparks in their annual Rock The Pink game.
More Dallas Wings News & WNBA Rumors
- WNBA News: “We Just Try to Get the Win”: Career-High Performances From Maddy Siegrist, Li Yueru Lift Dallas Wings Past Indiana Fever in Road Thriller
- 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: “Adrenaline Is a Hell of a Drug”: Paige Bueckers Managing Back Injury as Dallas Wings Share Status vs. Indiana Fever
- WNBA News: “Paige Will Be a Unifier”: Curt Miller Details Dallas Wings’ Roster Plan Around Paige Bueckers
