DHJ Quick Take: Lynx Second-Half Surge Sinks Wings
- Defensive Meltdown: Despite leading by as many as 12 points, the Wings allowed the Minnesota Lynx to shoot a staggering 60.3% from the field and rack up 48 points in the paint, erasing Dallas’ early advantage.
- The Tale of Two Halves: The Wings’ offense stagnated dramatically after intermission. After racking up 16 assists in the first half, ball movement completely stalled as Dallas managed only six assists over the final two quarters.
- Marquee Performance in Defeat: Paige Bueckers put together her most aggressive game of the season, dropping a season-high 27 points and 8 assists, while Maddy Siegrist provided a major first-half spark with 17 points off the bench.
- Fudd’s Home Debut: No. 1 overall pick Azzi Fudd made her highly anticipated appearance at College Park Center, logging an efficient 8 points and a team-high +11 plus-minus rating in 20 minutes of action.
- Frontcourt Toughness Discrepancy: Head coach Jose Fernandez did not mince words postgame, stating that Minnesota “imposed their will” on the glass, outscoring Dallas 18-9 in second-chance opportunities even with All-Star Napheesa Collier sidelined.
ARLINGTON, Texas — Natasha Howard scored 26 points, Courtney Williams added 21 and the Minnesota Lynx rallied past the Dallas Wings 90-86 on Thursday night.
The Lynx erased a 12-point deficit and outscored Dallas 22-16 in the fourth quarter to improve to 2-1. Paige Bueckers led the Wings with a season-high 27 points and 8 assists, but Dallas dropped to 1-2 and lost its second straight.
Howard shot 11-of-14 from the field, and Williams hit 9 of 10, including 3-of-4 from 3-point range. Minnesota shot 60.3% as a team and scored 48 points in the paint. Olivia Miles had 15 points and 6 assists.
Maddy Siegrist scored 17 points off the bench for Dallas, and Azzi Fudd added a career-high 8 points in her first home appearance. Odyssey Sims finished with 11 points.
Dallas led for nearly three quarters. The Wings closed the first quarter ahead 28-18 and carried a 48-40 advantage into halftime behind 16 first-half assists. Sims hit a 3-pointer at the third-quarter buzzer to give Dallas a 70-68 lead entering the fourth, and Bueckers scored 12 of her points in the period.
The Wings led 83-79 with 3:26 to play before Minnesota tied it at 85. Howard scored with 51 seconds left to put the Lynx ahead for good, and Kayla McBride made 3 of 4 free throws in the final 30 seconds.
Dallas’ ball movement stalled after halftime. The Wings recorded 6 assists in the second half after totaling 16 before the break. Minnesota also held an 18-9 edge in second-chance points.
“We need to be better in our pick-and-roll defense,” Bueckers said. She added that Dallas has to sustain its play across all four quarters “so that games don’t come down to the last two minutes so much.”
Wings head coach Jose Fernandez pointed to defensive breakdowns and a lack of effort on the glass.
“Minnesota came in here and imposed their will, and they were tough,” Fernandez said.
Fernandez also said the offense lost its rhythm in the second half.
“The ball didn’t move like it should,” Fernandez said.
The Lynx played without Napheesa Collier, who is dealing with a left ankle injury. Forward Dorka Juhász was also out with a right foot injury.
The Wings close their three-game homestand Monday against the Washington Mystics at College Park Center.
Full interviews below.
Jose Fernandez
Paige Bueckers, Maddy Siegrist & Azzi Fudd
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