Dallas Wings Fall Late to Unbeaten Minnesota Lynx, 81-65

Arike Ogunbowale (No. 24) of the Dallas Wings played all 40 minutes and scored 26 points in a tough loss against the Minnesota Lynx at College Park Center. (Photo: Dylan Nadwodny | The Podium Finish)

ARLINGTON, Texas — Napheesa Collier tallied 28 points and 10 rebounds, while Kayla McBride knocked down six 3-pointers to lift the Minnesota Lynx to an 81-65 win over the Dallas Wings on Sunday at College Park Center, extending their season-opening unbeaten run to 9-0 — the fourth-best start in WNBA history.

Minnesota controlled the game from the opening tip, scoring 24 points in the first quarter and 22 in the second to build a double-digit lead. At one point in the first half, the Lynx led by as many as 17. Collier, a driving force on both ends, added four assists, three blocks and four steals to her stat line.

Dallas surged late in the third quarter behind a 17-4 run that featured a highlight-reel fast-break from JJ Quinerly to Maddy Siegrist, slicing the deficit to a single point. But the comeback was short-lived. Collier responded with seven points in the opening five minutes of the fourth, powering a 14-3 Minnesota run that put the game out of reach.

“This is a good team,” Wings head coach Chris Koclanes said of the Lynx. “A good team like that, they really take advantage of any type of slippage or missed coverage, and they were able to just kinda move the ball and step up and hit shots late.” He credited Dallas’s defensive effort throughout the game, saying, “I thought our compete was great in a lot of stretches, and we found some disruption throughout that game.”

The Wings were held to just nine points in the final quarter, going 1-of-10 from the field to start the period. Turnovers added to their struggles.

“Fourth quarter, yeah, I mean, we were 1 for 10 to start that quarter,” Koclanes added. “Tough offensive stretches just keeps you having to grind and grind on the defensive end.”

The offensive numbers reflected the grind. Dallas shot 29.2% from the floor (19-of-65) and committed 17 turnovers, which Minnesota converted into 24 points. The Wings made just 8 of 24 from beyond the arc, and missed opportunities in the paint compounded their woes.

Arike Ogunbowale kept Dallas in contention during the first half, scoring 26 points — including six 3-pointers — to go along with six assists. The Lynx’s defensive adjustments limited her to just two points after the break.

Arike Ogunbowale (No. 24) gave it her all for the Dallas Wings in a tough game against the Minnesota Lynx. (Photo: Dylan Nadwodny | The Podium Finish)

“We can compete with anybody when we’re doing what we need to do, executing the game plan, and just getting better,” Ogunbowale said. “We have another good team in Phoenix coming up. So, watch the film of what we did wrong this game and just get ready for Wednesday.”

She acknowledged Minnesota’s defensive shift after halftime.

“I think they were more aggressive,” she said. “They weren’t plugging and sagging off — but there were still shots that I could have hit and didn’t.”

Quinerly contributed six points and two rebounds off the bench, showing growth as she adjusts to a new role in the pros.

“I definitely feel comfortable,” Quinerly said. “I played point guard in college, 1 and the 2, but it’s a different game, of course. So definitely starting to figure out the comfortability with that group and with Arike, and trying to get her the ball and get her to her spots — and, of course, everybody else on the court. So I’m definitely stepping into it pretty decently.”

Siegrist posted her first career double-double with 15 points and 11 rebounds. Luisa Geiselsöder chipped in five points, and Myisha Hines-Allen added four in 17 minutes. However, Dallas struggled to find any rhythm offensively, converting just 30% of its attempts in the paint while failing to break through the Lynx’s disciplined defense.

Minnesota’s own attack proved balanced and efficient. The Lynx hit 13-of-31 from deep (41.9%) and assisted on 25 of their 29 made field goals. They racked up 12 steals and 11 blocks, applying pressure throughout the game and capitalizing on Dallas’s mistakes.

While the Lynx remain perfect and head to Seattle for a Commissioner’s Cup showdown, the Wings fell to 1-9 overall and 0-5 at home, with a Wednesday matchup in Phoenix on the horizon. Also as important as the next game for Minnesota is the Collective Bargaining Agreement given the tight turnaround times and salaries for players like Collier and her teammates.

Napheesa Collier (No. 24) of the Minnesota Lynx spoke candidly on the CBA negotiations after her team’s win over the Dallas Wings. (Photo: Dylan Nadwodny | The Podium Finish)

“I’m glad you brought that up because I was gonna talk about the CBA too,” Collier said to Aya Abdeen of Ballislife.com. “Just recognizing that we’re working really hard to get that done and we’re not asking for anything unfair. We’re asking for what we deserve, what we’ve earned. We’re working really hard to make really good progress as the midseason approaches.

“I think that’s a concern for us as well. It’s a lot of games in a short amount of time. So that is something we’re looking at. I just wanted to get that out there and keep that story relevant. The CBA is really important. We’re working really hard to get that done. We’re hoping the league reciprocates that energy.”

Despite the loss, Koclanes remained encouraged by his team’s effort and identity.

“It’s definitely something we talk about a lot. It’s part of our identity. It’s our crash presence,” he said to Kace Rosenberg of The Podium Finish. “And I like our consistency in that area. And again, as we continue to get better and more efficient, right now, we need those chances. We need more field goal attempts. So that consistent crash has allowed us to compete.”

Ogunbowale shared that confidence. “We can compete with anybody,” she said, reiterating her focus on improvement and the upcoming film review.

Quinerly’s performance marked a positive step forward for a Dallas backcourt still evolving through injuries and lineup changes. Her growing comfort level could be a critical development as the Wings look to build chemistry and stability.

The turning point came in the final 10 minutes, when Dallas got within a basket only to be overwhelmed by a 24-9 run from Minnesota. The Wings managed just three field goals and a single 3-pointer in the fourth.

Collier’s consistent brilliance — her third straight game with 27 or more points against Dallas — strengthened her MVP case. McBride added 21 points with sharp perimeter shooting, continuing her steady offensive output.

Meanwhile, Minnesota continues to roll, riding a perfect start into a pivotal road test. Sunday’s game showcased a title contender in full stride — and a young Dallas squad still laying the groundwork for what it hopes will be a competitive summer with Paige Bueckers potentially returning on Wednesday night.

Next Stop

Next up, the Wings visit Phoenix Mercury on Wednesday, seeking their second win and a reset after a tough home stretch. Koclanes said preparation will be key and Ogunbowale echoed the plan.

“Watch the film of what we did wrong this game and just get ready for Wednesday,” she said.

Minnesota Lynx: By the Numbers

Kayla McBride (No. 21) of the Minnesota Lynx was sharp from downtown against the Dallas Wings. (Photo: Dylan Nadwodny | The Podium Finish)

Dallas Wings: By the Numbers

Myisha Hines-Allen (No. 2) and Luisa Geiselsöder (No. 18) hope to turn things around for the Dallas Wings on Wednesday night against the Phoenix Mercury. (Photo: Dylan Nadwodny | The Podium Finish)

Editor’s Note

Kace Rosenberg contributed to this article directly onsite from College Park Center in Arlington, Texas.