Dallas Wings Secure Dominant Win Over Minnesota Lynx, 94-76

Arike Ogbunowale (No. 24) of the Dallas Wings tallied 25 points en route to a 94-76 victory over the Minnesota Lynx at College Park Center in Arlington, Texas, on Friday, Aug. 30, 2024. (Photo: Dylan Nadwodny | The Podium Finish)

ARLINGTON, Texas — After tallying back-to-back comeback wins against the Los Angeles Sparks and Las Vegas Aces, the Dallas Wings faced a formidable foe in the Minnesota Lynx on Friday evening at College Park Center.

In the midst of a five-game homestand, the Wings entered their 31st game of the 2024 WNBA season separated by three games from the eighth and final WNBA Playoffs spot held by the Chicago Sky. The path to a third consecutive victory was not without challenges against a Lynx that team that won six consecutive games since the resumption of the season.

Then again, the Wings had reasons to be optimistic against the Lynx. On June 27, Dallas defeated Minnesota, 94-88.

Much like that matchup earlier in the season, the Lynx found that the Wings were not letting off the throttle at any point in the game.

Starting off with a 22-18 lead in the first quarter, Natasha Howard, Teaira McCowan, Satou Sabally, Arike Ogunbowale and Kalani Brown catalyzed the scoring barrage for Dallas. Courtney Williams, Napheesa Collier, Bridget Carleton, Natisha Hiedeman and Dorka Juhász got on the scoring sheet for Minnesota in the opening stanza.

The momentum shifted over to Minnesota’s side in the second quarter as Collier, Williams, Carleton and Kayla McBride contributed to the Lynx’ 22 points, countering Dallas’ 17 scored by Ogunbowale, Sabally, Brown, Howard and Sevgi Uzun. After the first half, Minnesota held a 40-39 lead over Dallas.

Once the second half kicked off, Howard’s trey in the opening 65 seconds was quickly responded by McBride’s driving finger roll layup 23 seconds later and Williams’ jumper with 7:55 remaining. Little did anyone know that Ogunbowale’s three-point shot 11 seconds later would be a lead that Dallas never relinquished for the rest of the game.

McCowan, Sabally, Uzun, Ogunbowale, Howard and Siegrist catalyzed Dallas’ offensive barrage, netting 29 points compared to Minnesota’s 19, primarily orchestrated by Collier, McBride, Cecilia Zandalasini, Diamond Miller and Myisha Hines-Allen.

Satou Sabally (No. 0) of the Dallas Wings scored 18 points, eight rebounds and six dimes to secure the 94-76 win over the Minnesota Lynx at College Park Center in Arlington, Texas. (Photo: Dylan Nadwodny | The Podium Finish)

Entering the fourth quarter, Dallas held a 68-59 lead over Minnesota, their sights set on securing another home court victory. Following Collier’s transition take foul free throw shot in the opening 12 seconds, Dallas enjoyed a double-digit lead for the remainder of the game when Sabally sank a 27′ three-point shot with 9:20 remaining.

From there, Uzun, Howard, McCowan, Brown and Ogunbowale extinguished any hopes of a perfect month for Minnesota. Zandalasini, Carleton and Hines-Allen were the only other Lynx to score after Collier’s free throw basket in the final 10 minutes.

Dallas scored a pivotal win over the Lynx, their ninth of the 2024 WNBA season and second to tie the season series against their Western Conference competitors. Typically known for their fast pace on the court, Ogunbowale attributed the Wings’ success to their strong defensive presence and effort.

“I think it started with the defense,” Ogunbowale said. “Like the steal [by Uzun]. She had four steals and we got out in transition. I think Tasha had three. So our defense was really good. But we were getting out and running. So we were running them off the three point line, which is good. But then we were there for help and we were rotating. So when we’re on a string like that, it looks really good and then we get stops and we can run.”

Unlike the wins against Los Angeles and Las Vegas, Dallas did not have to overcome a large deficit to secure the win. On the other hand, like the wins this past Sunday and Tuesday, the common denominator is the pressure off of Ogunbowale as her teammates banked huge performances in their recent victories.

“Yeah, I think how we’ve been playing as a team, it takes a lot more pressure off of me just having Satou back and then Tasha playing so well and Sev playing well,” she added. “It’s just more freedom. I know I can kick it to them and they could do what they have to do.

“And I don’t even have to be in that position. And if I do need to be in it, they’ll find me. So I think we’re all just giving each other’s freedom to go one-on-one if you need to. But then we’ll play team ball when we have to, too. So it’s been a good balance.”

This balance was not lost upon Dalals head coach Latricia Trammell‘s mindset, particularly with her team’s string of injuries and adversities to begin the season. Trammell praised Ogunbowale’s veteran leadership and mental fortitude to push herself and her teammates to keep the team spirit as positive as possible.

Dallas Wings head coach Latricia Trammell was proud of her team’s latest victory and Arike Ogunbowale’s veteran leadership throughout the 2024 WNBA season. (Photo: Dylan Nadwodny | The Podium Finish)

“She’s had a lot on her shoulders, especially with 83% of our team being out at the at the start,” Trammell said. “And just for her to hold it together and take a lot on her shoulders, just to keep the locker room good and to continue to bring the confidence and the the player that she is, she’s earned every moment of it. She’s a true professional.”

Tallying 50 points in the paint compared to Minnesota’s 20, Uzun pointed out her team’s two dominant centers, McCowan and Brown, have marshaled their talents and high basketball IQ in conjunction with Trammell’s strong coaching in tapping to everyone’s strengths.

“We have a really strong post players, and I feel like every team is trying to take advantage of that,” Uzun said. “But we have the advantage. It’s just because of how we use them. I think our coach is doing a really good job about that. But like once you play the game, you sometimes you forget it, sometimes like you just get excited and stuff.

“And in those moments, like I’m always trying to, especially with Arike, I’m just trying to talk to them and like, still trying to be focused on what works for us or like where we are strong the most. So I think just realizing that and feeling the game is just helping me to find stuff, I would say.”

The Rundown

Teaira McCowan (No. 15), Natasha Howard (No. 6) and Arike Ogubnowale (No. 24) of the Dallas Wings are all smiles about their 94-76 win over the Minnesota Lynx at College Park Center in Arlington, Texas. (Photo: Dylan Nadwodny | The Podium Finish)

Minnesota Lynx: By the Numbers

Napheesa Collier (No. 24) of the Minnesota Lynx scored 17 points as the Dallas Wings defeated the Lynx, 94-76, at College Park Center in Arlington, Texas. (Photo: Dylan Nadwodny | The Podium Finish)

Dallas Wings: By the Numbers

Sevgi Uzun (No. 1) of the Dallas Wings had a solid 11-point effort en route to a 94-76 win over the Minnesota Lynx at College Park Center in Arlington, Texas. (Photo: Dylan Nadwodny | The Podium Finish)

Playoff Picture

Along with defeating the Minnesota Lynx (23-9) and the Chicago Sky (11-20) falling to the Indiana Fever (16-16), 100-81, the Dallas Wings (9-22) rank 11th but sit two games behind the Sky for the eighth and final WNBA playoff spot.

Up Next

The Dallas Wings duel the Indiana Fever at College Park Center in Arlington, Texas, on Sunday, Sept. 1 at 4 p.m. ET/3 p.m. CT on Bally Sports Southwest Extra and NBA TV. Most recently, the Wings defeated the Fever, 101-93, on Wednesday, July 17, the concluding game to the first half of the 2024 WNBA season prior to the 2024 WNBA All-Star Game and 2024 Paris Olympics break.