Dallas Wings Fall 77-72 To Atlanta Dream In Home Opener As Rebounding And Cold Shooting Sink Comeback Bid

ARLINGTON, Texas — The Dallas Wings dropped their home opener 77-72 to the Atlanta Dream on Tuesday night at College Park Center, undone by 11 offensive rebounds, a 4-of-26 night from 3-point range, and a 13-point fourth quarter in front of a sellout crowd of 6,251.

The loss came after Dallas opened the year 1-0 with a 107-point road win at Indiana, following a 2-0 preseason run under new head coach Jose Fernandez. Dallas falls to 1-1. Atlanta improves to 2-0 behind heavy minutes from Angel Reese, Rhyne Howard, Allisha Gray, Jordin Canada, and reigning Sixth Player of the Year Naz Hillmon, each of whom logged at least 31 minutes.

The game featured 8 lead changes and 9 ties. Neither team led by more than 10. Atlanta won the rebounding battle 44-34. Dallas’ bench outscored Atlanta’s reserves 16-5.

Paige Bueckers quietly added a franchise milestone in the loss. With 3 assists, she eclipsed 200 career assists in just 38 career games, the fastest any Wings player has reached the mark. Arike Ogunbowale posted her second straight 20-point game and has now scored at least 12 points in 10 of her last 11 outings dating to July 22, 2025.

Aziaha James Sparks First-Quarter Lead Before Odyssey Sims, Awak Kuier Triples Stretch It in the Second

Dallas opened with a starting lineup of Odyssey Sims, Paige Bueckers, Arike Ogunbowale, Jessica Shepard, and Alanna Smith for the second straight game. Bueckers scored the Wings’ first 5 points, including 3 from the free throw line, before Aziaha James sparked a 10-4 run with 4 points and a steal off the bench. Sims pushed Dallas in front to close the first quarter with a layup at the 2-second mark.

James led all Wings scorers in the opening quarter with 6 points and crossed 300 career points in the process. Shepard added 4 points, 2 rebounds, and 2 assists in the frame.

Sims and Awak Kuier hit back-to-back 3-pointers to ignite an 8-2 run in the second quarter that pushed the Dallas lead to 8 and forced an Atlanta timeout. The Dream chipped the deficit to 2 late in the second before Ogunbowale converted an and-one to push it back to 5. The Wings carried a 41-38 lead into the locker room.

Fernandez credited the second unit specifically for the halftime lead.

“That second unit — you look at the halftime box score — that second unit did a really, really good job. That just speaks to the depth of our team as well,” Fernandez said.

Atlanta Dream’s 11-2 Third-Quarter Burst Erased by Arike Ogunbowale’s And-Ones

Atlanta opened the second half on an 11-2 run to take a 6-point lead before Ogunbowale answered with another and-one. She accounted for 5 of the Wings’ first 7 points in the third and finished the frame with 11. She drew 4 shooting fouls in the quarter alone.

A 9-2 Dallas run fueled by aggressive defense and second-chance opportunities pushed the Wings back in front by 1, but a Canada corner 3 with under two minutes left in the third flipped the score to 57-55 Atlanta. Dallas closed the quarter back ahead 59-58. Ogunbowale led all scorers entering the fourth with 18 points.

Allisha Gray’s Back-to-Back 3-Pointers Open Fourth Quarter, Atlanta Builds 10-Point Lead

Gray opened the fourth quarter on a personal 6-0 run, drilling back-to-back 3-pointers to give Atlanta a 5-point lead. The Wings managed only 13 points across the frame.

Shepard became the third Dallas player in double figures with a tough finish at the rim that cut the Atlanta lead to 6 with 3:19 to go. The Dream answered with a 9-2 run between the 5:17 and 1:47 marks to push their lead to a game-high 10. A late Dallas 5-0 run trimmed the margin to 5 at the buzzer.

Ogunbowale flagged Atlanta’s quick start to the fourth as the game’s turning point.

“They started off — I think we were up one going into the fourth — and they started off on a 6-0 run, and we kinda never got it back from there,” Ogunbowale said. “So just trying to take advantage of the breaks and coming out stronger, and then just better defense.”

Fernandez singled out Gray’s two late-clock 3-pointers as the back-breakers, including one out of a baseline out-of-bounds set.

“They took 33 of them. They shot 27%, but the two that Gray hit were huge — the one out of the baseline out of bounds and then the other one,” Fernandez said. “You’re holding them to 37%, but you lose by five.”

He also pointed to Atlanta’s sideline out-of-bounds execution as a late-game stressor the Wings could not solve.

“Late game, that sideline out of bounds were, again, it’s them getting in us,” Fernandez said. “They do a really good job on sideline out of bounds, putting length on the inbounder, and that means reading the defense, cutting harder, and we gotta get better at that.”

Angel Reese’s 16 Rebounds, 8 Offensive Boards Decide the Margin for Atlanta

Reese collected 8 of Atlanta’s 11 offensive rebounds and finished with 16 total boards, adding 12 points on 4-of-8 shooting, 2 assists, 1 steal, and 1 block. Atlanta turned its second-chance opportunities into 16 points compared to 12 for Dallas. The Dream finished plus-10 on the glass for the game.

Fernandez had been clear pregame that limiting Reese could not be a one-on-one job. He predicted the Wings would get “tested on the glass” and said his perimeter players would have to crash down and help. Reese delivered the exact outcome he warned about.

“They got 11 offensive rebounds. We took 73 shots. You’re up one going into the fourth quarter here at home — you gotta close those games out,” Fernandez said. “Their five guys played 32, 34, 34, 36, 37 minutes. I think we need to do a better job when the ball’s not going in the basket. We gotta just grind out and defend better.”

Bueckers had previewed Reese’s two-way impact on Monday.

“On both ends of the floor, just a paint presence on both sides,” Bueckers said. “Defensively, she can switch and guard one through five. And then offensively she’s a great screener, great roller, great passer, can finish around the rim, and provides a different spark for them. And just her energy is contagious, and she brings confidence to her teammates.”

Kuier, in her first home game back with the franchise after two seasons away, said Atlanta’s physicality forced Dallas into a passive posture at times.

“They’re a very physical team. I think sometimes they kinda won in the toughness and we would kind of be more passive,” Kuier said. “So I think that was especially for me — the physicality and just having to be tougher.”

Dallas held a 36-34 edge in points in the paint and won fast break points 9-7. The second-chance gap was the difference on the scoreboard.

Dallas Wings Misfire 4-of-26 From 3 as Cold Spell Spreads Across the Rotation

The Wings attempted 26 shots from 3 and made 4. The cold night was distributed across nearly every shooter on the roster. Smith went 0-of-6 from 3 and finished with 2 points on 1-of-8 overall, her only make coming inside the arc. James went 0-of-5. Ogunbowale shot 0-of-4. Maddy Siegrist and Alysha Clark each missed their lone attempt.

Bueckers, Sims, and Kuier accounted for all 4 made 3-pointers on 9 combined attempts. The 15.4% mark came one game after the Wings shot 50% from 3 in their season opener at Indiana.

Ogunbowale said Atlanta’s length and team-wide help disrupted the Wings’ counter actions when the first read was taken away.

“I think they were playing physical. Obviously they’ve watched how we’ve been playing so far, and they see we like to kick the ball, spread the ball, and I think they were really guarding our first actions well, and then we kinda just got stagnant,” Ogunbowale said. “So we definitely have to watch film, see how to go to next action after the first action, but we’ll be okay.”

Fernandez said the bigger issue was movement, not variance.

“The ball’s gotta move for us a lot better. I thought the ball really stuck, and that first half was very uncharacteristic of the things that we’ve done in the first three games,” Fernandez said.

Atlanta shot 27.3% from 3 itself, going 9-of-33. The Dream made the shots that mattered.

Allisha Gray Leads All Scorers as Jordin Canada Carries the Atlanta Backcourt

Gray finished with 26 points, 4 rebounds, and 1 block on 9-of-20 shooting and 4-of-9 from 3. She made every free throw she attempted, going 4-of-4 from the line.

Canada added 19 points, 7 rebounds, 5 assists, and 3 steals on 8-of-15 shooting and 3-of-7 from 3. Her ability to create off the dribble and out of pick-and-roll was the exact concern Sims raised the day before.

“They have really great guards all around. Great team, of course. Great rebounders, great guards that can create off the dribble and/or off a pick and roll, so we really gotta key in on our defense tomorrow in transition and in the half court,” Sims said after Monday’s practice.

Paige Bueckers Holds Rhyne Howard to 3-of-14 Before Atlanta Screens Her Off Late

Bueckers spent most of the night defending Howard. The matchup tilted in the Wings’ favor. Howard finished 3-of-14 from the field and 1-of-9 from 3. Seven of her points came on 7-of-7 shooting from the free throw line.

Fernandez said Atlanta countered by screening Bueckers off the assignment, which generated Howard’s most efficient possession at the rim.

“They’re long and they’re athletic, so they can get up in you. Paige was guarding Rhyne, so she’s constantly moving, and they do a good job finding her,” Fernandez said. “But Howard was 3 for 14 tonight, so she did a pretty good job on her. Where her issue was, they would try to move her off defensively, and we moved her, then Howard got to the rim with an and-one there.”

Bueckers had flagged transition defense as the Wings’ top growth area on Monday.

“They’re really good in transition. I think they were the number one offensive transition team last year. They hunt the three-point line really well, and they’re good defensively. They’re very versatile, can switch,” Bueckers said. “So defensively our transition defense has to improve from game one. Defending without fouling, staying disciplined, and then using our offensive transition to punish them as well.”

Naz Hillmon Logs Team-High Plus-12 Despite Going 0-of-5 From the Field

Hillmon attempted 5 shots and finished with 1 point and 3 rebounds on 0-of-5 shooting, including 0-of-3 from 3. She still posted the highest plus-minus of the night at plus-12 across nearly 36 minutes, defending multiple positions through stretches in which Atlanta consistently outscored Dallas.

Bueckers previewed Hillmon’s versatility pregame.

“Naz Hillmon obviously won Sixth Player of the Year. She’s a spark plug for them. Just make everything tough for her and make her work for it,” Bueckers said. “But she’s a great player. She plays both ends of the floor. She’s very versatile. She’s really worked on her three-point shot, so she’s a threat from deep now. She can score at all three levels.”

Hillmon scored 1 point. She won the floor.

Azzi Fudd Ruled Out After Initial Probable Injury Label

The Wings were without No. 1 overall pick Azzi Fudd, who was ruled out with a right knee injury after playing in the season opener at Indiana. Bueckers emphasized that without Fudd, the Wings need to trust their depth and stick to their own game rather than rely on one person to fill the void.

“Just next woman up. Obviously, she’s a key piece for us, just being on the floor and her presence and what she brings offensively and defensively,” Bueckers said. “But I think it’ll be a test to our depth and what we think we have off the bench. Just stepping up, not trying to be Azzi Fudd, but trying to be the best version of yourself and contribute that way.”

Fernandez declined to give specifics on Fudd’s status pregame, citing her long-term health and the length of the season. However, Fudd was on the court during the team’s shootaround earlier in the day.

“I’m not going to discuss anything medically in regards to her or what she has done in practice, what she hasn’t done in practice. She’s a big part of this team. There’s a reason why we drafted her number one, and she’s going to have a great season for the Wings,” Fernandez said.

Pressed on whether the issue surfaced during the pre-draft process, Fernandez said the front office and medical staff identified no concerns.

“I’m sure the front office and strength and conditioning and sports medicine and everybody does their due diligence, right? But there weren’t any concerns whatsoever,” Fernandez said.

Asked whether Fudd’s reduced minutes in the Indiana opener were tied to the same issue, Fernandez referenced “an abundance of caution” and her “long-term health” without confirming a timeline.

Arike Ogunbowale Logs 20 Points and 35 Minutes With Backcourt Stretched

Ogunbowale led all Wings scorers with 20 points, 4 rebounds, 1 assist, and 1 steal on 7-of-15 shooting in 35 minutes. It was her second straight 20-point game to open the season. She has now scored at least 12 points in 10 of her last 11 games dating to July 22, 2025.

With Fudd out, Bueckers played 31 minutes. Sims, who scored 20 points in the Indiana opener, finished with 7 points, 1 rebound, and 4 assists on 3-of-8 shooting in 22 minutes.

Fernandez said Ogunbowale’s volume was a function of late-clock possessions rather than scheme.

“Her shooting percentage — she had to take a couple tough ones late in the clock. I think she’s getting to the rim more,” Fernandez said. “But again, she can’t play 36 minutes a night. Even though Paige played 32, I thought Awak was a bright spot. She did some very, very good things for us.”

Ogunbowale, asked about her partnership with Bueckers, said the second-year guard’s voice has already shaped the locker room.

“Just being vocal. She’s year two, but she’s a leader on this team. Using her voice. Us obviously talking, with Odyssey especially — them two being point guards, back and forth, they have to run this team,” Ogunbowale said. “I think we have leadership from all angles.”

Ogunbowale said the message internally after a poor shooting night is to move on.

“It’s so early. This is game two. We definitely got a lot of good shots. We just couldn’t knock them down today,” Ogunbowale said. “But with all the people that we have, I can’t see that happen too many times. But if it does, we have to be ready to guard, and that was just our biggest message.”

Jessica Shepard, Alanna Smith Split Frontcourt Production

Shepard posted 12 points, 8 rebounds, and 3 assists on 6-of-11 shooting. She anchored the Wings’ interior production and served as a transition outlet on multiple defensive rebound pushes. Her late finish at the rim made her the third Dallas player in double figures.

“I think I did a good job of pushing the pace in transition when I got the rebounds on the defensive end, and just kind of being the calm within the offense at times,” Shepard said pregame. “I think we have a very talented roster. So just being able to help facilitate in whatever way I can is important for me.”

Smith finished with 2 points, 6 rebounds, 3 assists, and 1 block on 1-of-8 shooting and 0-of-6 from 3 in 26 minutes. She had been one of the Wings’ primary pick-and-pop threats in the preseason and the Indiana opener but could not get a clean look from deep against Atlanta’s length.

“Atlanta’s a really tough match-up. But I think if we keep our pace and play really good defense, we’ll be able to compete, for sure,” Smith said pregame.

Smith also said the chemistry-building has continued through the short ramp-up.

“It’s a fun group. Everyone loves playing basketball. Everyone loves playing basketball together. So it’s fun to come to training every day, and you can see chemistry builds every time we’re on court together,” Smith said.

Awak Kuier Returns Home With Team-High Plus-9 in 14 Minutes

Kuier finished with 6 points, 4 rebounds, 1 assist, and 1 block on 2-of-4 shooting, 1-of-2 from 3, in 14 minutes. Her plus-9 was the highest mark among Wings players who logged double-digit minutes. She was one of only four Dallas players on the positive side of the plus-minus column, alongside Siegrist (plus-5), Clark (plus-5), and James (plus-3).

Kuier said playing in front of the home crowd for the first time since returning to the franchise was the standout part of the night.

“It’s amazing to see. It was my first game back playing here at home, so many fans, amazing fans. The arena — you could really feel the support, so it’s really amazing, especially coming back to the league and seeing the growth,” Kuier said.

Ogunbowale, with the franchise since 2019, said the growth Kuier referenced has been visible year over year.

“I feel the same way. She’s been gone for two years, and I think it’s already just a huge difference from when she was here versus now, and then obviously from 2019 to now, it’s black and white. So it’s amazing to be a part of,” Ogunbowale said.

Kuier said Fernandez’s offense has been an easier fit because of its European influence.

“I think Jose’s offense is very European, so I think that helps me a lot just to feel comfortable in the system and play with such great players and kinda read the game,” Kuier said.

JJ Quinerly, Li Yueru Listed as Coach’s Decision DNPs

The Wings dressed nine players. JJ Quinerly and Li Yueru were listed as coach’s decision did-not-plays. Dulcy Fankam Mendjiadeu, Fudd, and Costanza Verona were inactive. Fernandez noted pregame that JJ Quinerly was “slowly progressing back.”

Yueru’s absence meant Shepard, Smith, and Kuier handled nearly all the Wings’ frontcourt minutes, with brief stints from Clark and Siegrist rounding it out. Reese’s offensive rebounding pressure challenged the smaller alignment in stretches.

Siegrist played 8 minutes after Fernandez suggested pregame that her wing role could expand with Fudd out, but the game flow did not produce many minutes for her in the end.

“You’re looking at some extended minutes probably for Arike, right? Aziaha James extended minutes,” Fernandez said pregame. “Now AC will probably have to play some wing. Maddy will have to play some wing, and we’ve tried to speed up Awak as much as possible, right?”

Jose Fernandez Calls for Short-Term Memory After First Loss of His Tenure

It was the first time since training camp opened that Fernandez’s group had to absorb a loss. He framed his postgame message as a clean break.

“I just told them that this is the first time since we’ve been together that you lose a game, you have a little adversity. You don’t want this game to affect the next one. That’s the most important thing,” Fernandez said. “Come back, watch film tomorrow, fix it. Quick turnaround and get ready for Minnesota.”

He rejected the idea that the breakdown could be reduced to one or two factors.

“When you lose a game, everybody’s accountable — myself, coaching staff, the players, everybody within our organization. There’s not one or two things that we could’ve fixed. A lot of things,” Fernandez said.

Kuier said the locker room’s response after the game focused on staying together.

“We were talking a lot to each other, and I think the fact that we’re staying together is gonna be the big factor and may help us for the next game,” Kuier said.

Dallas Wings Host Minnesota Lynx on Thursday in Second Game of Three-Game Homestand

Dallas continues a three-game homestand on Thursday against the Minnesota Lynx at College Park Center. Tip-off is set for 7 p.m. CT on Prime. The matchup carries significant familiarity for Smith and Shepard, both of whom arrived in Dallas this offseason from Minnesota.

Ogunbowale said the internal message after the loss is to reset rather than dwell on it.

“There’s gonna be times where we don’t knock it down, but we have to stop the other team. What are we gonna do on the other side?” Ogunbowale said. “Everybody knows to keep their heads up. Like I said, we had open shots, and hopefully Thursday we knock those down.”

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