Paige Bueckers, Myisha Hines-Allen to Play vs. Indiana Fever; Arike Ogunbowale’s Status Uncertain

Grant AfsethAugust 12, 2025August 12, 2025no comment

Paige Bueckers, Dallas Wings, WNBA, New York Liberty

Photo by Ishika Samant/Getty Images

The Dallas Wings will have guard Paige Bueckers (back) available for Tuesday’s nationally televised WNBA matchup on ESPN against the Indiana Fever at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Forward Myisha Hines-Allen (left ankle) will also play, while guard Arike Ogunbowale (right knee soreness) did not participate in shootaround and is listed as questionable.

During the open portion of shootaround, Ogunbowale was on the exercise bike while the Wings did their walkthrough. If Ogunbowale is sidelined, rookie guard Aziaha James could take on a larger role after filling in at times this season when either Bueckers or Ogunbowale has been out. Recent trade acquisition Diamond Miller could also see extended minutes, and a bigger perimeter bench group featuring Miller and Maddy Siegrist is possible.

Paige Bueckers Managing Injury, Staying Productive

Bueckers says she will continue to play through a back injury that sidelined her earlier in the week, downplaying the issue after logging 32 minutes in Sunday’s 91–78 loss to the Washington Mystics.

“I’m feeling alright. Good enough to play,” Bueckers said after the game. “I’m not gonna make any excuses, so I’m feeling alright.”

The rookie guard wore a wrap while sitting on the bench between stints on the floor and finished with 17 points on 5-of-9 shooting, three rebounds, three assists, and two steals. She extended her streak of consecutive double-digit scoring games to 25, tying Caitlin Clark for the fifth-longest by a rookie in WNBA history, and matched Swin Cash for third in franchise history for most 15-plus point games by a first-year player (19).

Bueckers had missed Friday’s game against the New York Liberty after initially suffering what she described as a “pulled muscle” in her back during Tuesday’s loss in New York. She left that game midway through the third quarter after feeling tightness while dribbling up the court, returned in the fourth, and said afterward she hoped the injury would not keep her out for long.

“I just got it checked out,” Bueckers said last week. “I think it’s just a pulled muscle. I felt a strain, felt it tighten, so I’m just going to get it worked out, take some medicine, and go from there. I’m hoping it won’t take me out.”

Bueckers has been a central figure in the Wings’ offense all season, averaging 18.6 points, 4.1 rebounds, and 5.4 assists. In August, she’s elevated her production to 20.0 points, 5.0 rebounds, 3.7 assists, and 1.7 steals while shooting 52.6% from the field over three games.

Myisha Hines-Allen Continuing to Push Through

The Wings continue to monitor the health of Hines-Allen, who has been nursing a left ankle injury recently, but she should be available for Tuesday. She’s come off the bench in 13 consecutive outings, averaging 7.2 points, 5.5 rebounds, 2.5 assists, and 0.9 steals in 20.2 minutes per game during that stretch.

Hines-Allen is coming off an eight-point, 11-rebound, five-assist performance in Sunday’s loss to Washington, her highest rebound total since July 13.

“It’s tough. This is the first year I’ve ever had to deal with ankle problems,” Hines-Allen said. “Like I said, I felt it after the game, and I definitely did. But I’ve been getting treatment all the way up until now. I’m ready to go. I’m going to play today and try my hardest.”

Her mentality has been shaped by her long tenure in the league, with an emphasis on doing what it takes to make an impact for her teammates.

“That’s just the type of person I am,” Hines-Allen said. “I don’t like to miss games. In my eight seasons here, if I can walk and put my arms above my head, I want to be out there for my teammates.”

Dallas Wings Face Series Finale Against Indiana Fever

The Wings (8-24) are coming off a 91-78 home loss to the Washington Mystics on Sunday, where Bueckers and Hines-Allen combined for 25 points and 14 rebounds. Indiana (18-14) defeated the Chicago Sky 92-70 on Saturday behind 26 points from Kelsey Mitchell.

Tuesday’s meeting is the fourth and final matchup between the Wings and Fever this season. Indiana has won each of the first three, including an Aug. 1 win in Dallas. The series has drawn the league’s largest crowds this year, averaging 18,513 fans per game, highlighted by a Wings franchise record 20,409 on June 27.

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Grant Afseth

Senior Writer

Grant Afseth is a Senior Writer for DallasHoopsJournal.com, where he leads in-depth coverage of the Mavericks, Wings, and more. Between a focus on the latest news, closer looks at games, front office strategy, and more, Afseth provides objective coverage. Afseth contributes broader NBA coverage across platforms and has been cited in national outlets for his reporting and analysis. With nearly a decade of journalism experience, Afseth has covered the NBA and WNBA for multiple major outlets, including Athlon Sports, BallIsLife, Sportskeeda, and RG.org. He previously reported on the Indiana Pacers for CNHI’s Kokomo Tribune and the Mavericks for FanNation.

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