Dallas Wings Fall In Near Rally at Home to Las Vegas, 90-86

Paige Bueckers (No. 5) and her Dallas Wings squad nearly completed an impressive comeback against the Las Vegas Aces on Wednesday night at College Park Center. (Photo: Dallas Wings Basketball)

ARLINGTON, Texas — The Las Vegas Aces survived a furious final‑quarter rally by the Dallas Wings on Wednesday night, narrowly escaping with a 90‑86 victory at College Park Center in Arlington.

A’ja Wilson authored a commanding performance with 37 points, 10 rebounds and eight assists, while Dallas clawed back from a 20‑point deficit, leaving the Aces facing a tense finish before the WNBA All‑Star Game break thanks to strong play from their starting five and bench.

Dallas struck first in the opening quarter as Paige Bueckers, making her first All‑Star appearance in Indianapolis for Team Phee, anchored the offense with mid‑range jumpers, helping the Wings close the quarter in a 22‑22 tie.

Luisa Geiselsöder chipped in as well, and Dallas entered the second quarter firmly in the game. But the Aces responded, building their momentum on Wilson’s inside presence. By halftime, they held a 47‑40 lead after outscoring Dallas 25‑18 in the second frame.

By Wilson’s standards, it was another consistent, dominant performance, executing a series of efficient shots in the paint that helped keep the Aces in control. Late in the third, Las Vegas erupted on a 25‑11 run that extended their lead to 68‑46, spotlighting the Wings’ struggles to maintain energy through the middle quarters.

Head coach Chris Koclanes conceded the slow start while pointing out his team’s youth and emerging experience.

“I’ve gotta continue to show up positively with that vision, that long term vision in mind and continuing to remind them … as crappy as it can feel in these moments that there’s a bigger picture here,” Koclanes said.

He added that the season’s grind demands a steady hand.

“It’s a grind. The season’s a grind. You play so many games, and there’s gonna be tough stretches and all sorts of adversity,” he emphasized.

Haley Jones (No. 30) of the Dallas Wings provided incredible energy and spark in the final frame against the Las Vegas Aces. (Photo: Dallas Wings Basketball)

Down 72‑52 heading into the fourth quarter, the Wings refused to quit. Haley Jones established the foundation of Dallas’ rally with a bucket 48 seconds into the final frame before Bueckers made one of her two free throws and a Li Yueru triple brought the Wings within 12 of the Aces.

Soon, Bueckers and Jones became a formidable scoring tandem, responsible for 20 of Dallas’ 34 points in the fourth quarter. Moments later, Bueckers drilled a baseline leaner to make it 86‑84 with 27 seconds left, a testament to Dallas’ relentless pressure and smart execution in reclaiming momentum.

Bueckers reflected on the rally after the game despite the Wings falling short, 86-84, to the two-time WNBA champions.

“This is something we’ve showed throughout the entire season: a fight and a willingness to never quit,” Bueckers said. “It shows us what we’re capable of and what we can accomplish as a team, and that we can compete on any given night.” Her determination lit a spark that challenged the Aces down the stretch, even briefly suggesting a full comeback was possible.

JJ Quinerly, Dallas’ rookie guard, contributed 17 points, five rebounds and five steals, another solid performance for the freshman from West Virginia.

After Bueckers’ bucket, Las Vegas calmly countered. Wilson found space in the lane and scored with 23 seconds left, ice‑cold under pressure, helping the Aces withstand the Wings’ final push.

The Aces converted 47.9 percent of their shots overall and secured a 40‑39 rebounding edge — small margins that helped them hold on despite Dallas outscoring them 34‑18 in the fourth quarter, according to box score analytics. Their free‑throw shooting (65.4 percent) lagged behind Dallas (72.7 percent), but that did not prevent the host team from sealing the win.

Dallas, now 6‑17 and headed into the break on a four‑game skid, has a lot to unpack. In addition to execution issues in the second and third quarters, the Wings will work on maintaining their strong energy at the onset and outset of games. On Wednesday night, the resiliency displayed in the final period leaves promise for next week’s West Coast trip.

Koclanes already signaled his intentions as he hopes his team can refresh during the brief but well earned WNBA All-Star Game break.

“Get away from it. Get away from it. Go be with your loved ones. Do something to take your mind off the game. Maybe run on the treadmill once or twice, but outside of that, get away from it,” he siad.

He then pledged a playful, energetic Sunday practice ahead of Seattle.

“Our word for the second half is urgency on both sides of the ball,” he said.

Paige Bueckers, JJ Quinerly, Li Yueru, Luisa Geiselsöder and Arike Ogunbowale of the Dallas Wings are on the precipice of breakthrough wins and moments. (Photo: Dallas Wings Basketball)

Bueckers, anticipating her first All‑Star Game this Saturday, captured the right mindset: “I’m excited for the All Star Game just to be around so many great players, try to ask questions, be a sponge, and just soak it up as much as I can.” She later affirmed her pride in representing Dallas, its city and organization.

Despite the loss, Dallas can take heart from the energy and unity shown in the final frame. Their ability to shift gears — albeit late — gives coaches and fans reason to believe in a second‑half resurgence fueled by consistency and mental toughness.

Looking ahead, maintaining that mindset throughout four full quarters will be key to containing Wilson and limiting opponent runs. If Dallas can do that, their competitive ceiling deepens significantly. But against elite opponents, lapses in focus and stamina are still their Achilles’ heel.

As the All‑Star break officially starts, both teams will regroup. The Aces ride high, confident in their center’s dominance. The Wings, meanwhile, have their rally—even in loss—as a foundation to build on. With a renewed emphasis on energy and execution, Dallas will seek to turn its momentum around quickly when it returns in Seattle next week.

In the final reckoning, Wednesday night’s result may signal a much needed turning point. It’s when Dallas chose not to fold—even when the game seemed decided.

Simply put, in the words Bueckers, her team’s “fight and willingness to never quit” will define her team’s path forward. Now, it’s up to them to sustain it.

Next Stop

As the Dallas Wings and WNBA head into the All-Star Game break, Paige Bueckers joins Napheesa Collier‘s squad, Team Phee, for Saturday night’s WNBA All-Star Game at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Bueckers is the sole Dallas Wings representative and will be among the starting five in Collier’s team led by Minnesota Lynx head coach Cheryl Reeve.

Following Saturday night’s WNBA All-Star Game, the Wings reconvene for a mini West Coast Swing starting with Tuesday night’s road game against the Seattle Storm at Climate Pledge Arena.

Las Vegas Aces: By the Numbers

Dallas Wings: By the Numbers

JJ Quinerly (No. 11) of the Dallas Wings continues to thrive as a versatile guard in her rookie season. (Photo: Dallas Wings Basketball)