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Arike Ogunbowale (No. 24) of the Dallas Wings had a night to remember against the New York Liberty. (Photo: Rachel Schuoler | The Podium Finish)
RLINGTON, Texas — Arike Ogunbowale has made a career out of thriving in the moment, but since the 2025 WNBA All-Star break, she’s shifted into an even higher gear.
On Monday night at College Park Center, the veteran guard continued her post-break surge, pouring in 20 points, dishing out 14 assists to just one turnover, and guiding the Dallas Wings to a 92-82 win over the defending champion New York Liberty.
In a league where reputations are built by consistency and elevated by clutch performances, Ogunbowale’s efforts against one of the WNBA’s elite didn’t go unnoticed.
“To have an efficient 20 points, to have 14 assists, and one turnover… just playing within the offense, playing within the flow, playing on both sides of the ball,” teammate Paige Bueckers said. “For her to come in and turn around after this All-Star break and perform how she’s performing, I think a conversation between us has been controlling what we can control… staying present and staying focused.”
Ogunbowale has looked locked in since July 22, when the Wings resumed their regular season campaign after the All-Star break. In the four games since then, she’s averaged 18.5 points, 6.0 assists, and just 1.75 turnovers per game, while shooting efficiently and assuming a more vocal role on both ends of the floor.
Her chemistry with Bueckers has blossomed over the past few weeks, an evolution Ogunbowale credits to intentional communication and shared leadership.
“We made it a point to just communicate with each other more,” she said. “Pick each other up if we ever see something going on. But I think just building that relationship and that chemistry and knowing that we’re kind of two leads on this team… we have to be on the same page. And we’ve been really intentional about it.”
That synchronicity was apparent from the opening tip. Dallas raced out to a 31-19 lead after the first quarter, thanks to crisp ball movement, high-percentage looks, and relentless defensive pressure. Bueckers explained the team’s approach in those opening 10 minutes:
Arike Ogunbowale certainly moved the ball with confidence and ease for her Dallas Wings teammates and strong scoring opportunities. (Photo: Rachel Schuoler | The Podium Finish)
“We were just trying to have a fast start and come out strong… make everything hard for them on defense and then get out in transition and run and attack. We were moving the ball, getting good shots within our offense.”
While Ogunbowale and Bueckers have become the engines of the Wings’ offensive identity, the team’s improvement has also hinged on contributions from role players like Luisa Geiselsöder. The rookie forward’s savvy decision-making and court awareness have earned her the trust of Dallas’s backcourt.
“She brings that European swag,” Ogunbowale said of Geiselsöder. “She’s really smart, really savvy… she just makes the right reads. She’s been playing pro for a while, so she’s a really smart player. I think we all trust her to make the right decision. And yeah, we’ve had a pretty good two-man game and it’s been really effective.”
As Dallas continues to gel, Ogunbowale sees tangible signs of progress in how the team is simplifying its offense and building continuity.
“I think in us simplifying the offense, we kind of know where each other is going to be now,” she said. “And we’re building that chemistry where we know where our fours are going to be, our fives, the rest of the guards on the court. Day by day, we’re learning each other and building that with all 11 players. I think that’s showing on the court.”
The results back her up. Since July 22, the Wings have gone 2-2, with wins over Seattle and New York. While there was a brief stumble against the expansion Golden State Valkyries and two-time WNBA champion Las Vegas Aces, Dallas has displayed the kind of poise and responsiveness indicative of a team rounding into form.
Ogunbowale, in her trademark directness, kept things in perspective when asked about carrying momentum into upcoming games:
“We got a win against Seattle, but then we had a loss against… the Valkyries, and then the loss against [another team]. So it’s not really… it’s game to game. Obviously, if we kept that momentum against Seattle, we would be 4-0. It’s a great win, but it’s a whole other team coming in on Wednesday. We just have to lock in. Momentum is kind of a myth. It’s game to game.”
That mindset—focused on presence and preparation—is something Bueckers echoed in her remarks about the team’s defensive growth.
“We wanted to clean that up,” Bueckers said. “Really just make things more difficult. It’ll make things easier for us on offense and getting out in transition, but dictating more, disrupting more. That’s the emphasis moving forward.”
It’s not just defense that’s coming into focus. With a relatively stable rotation now that players have returned from EuroBasket and injury-related absences have subsided, Bueckers believes the team is finally gaining cohesion.
“Just having people in and out of the lineups… but that’s life,” she said. “It’s just next woman up mentality. But it’s very nice to obviously get some fluidity and consistency in who we’re going to see every night. That’s getting reps in practice, and with repetition it becomes better.”
Arike Ogunbowale’s kicks turned back the calendar to 2018 when she was on Dancing with the Stars. (Photo: Rachel Schuoler | The Podium Finish)
Off the court, Ogunbowale also turned heads with her footwear — glittering, disco ball-inspired sneakers inspired by her 2018 Dancing with the Stars appearance.
“They’re my Dancing with the Stars PEs,” she said with a grin. “Kind of like a little disco ball. Shiny. That was my first time wearing them. I love ‘em. Shout out to Nike.”
Her sparkle didn’t stop at her shoes. From her command on the court to her evolving connection with her teammates, Ogunbowale’s influence on the Wings is both undeniable and growing. And no one may appreciate that more than Bueckers herself.
“The story should be about her,” Bueckers said.
If Dallas keeps winning, it won’t be the last time.
