The Dallas Wings earned a 92–82 victory over the New York Liberty on Monday night time behind a dominant first half and a profession efficiency from Arike Ogunbowale, snapping a two-game skid and bettering to eight–19 on the season.
Ogunbowale completed with 20 factors and a franchise-record-tying 14 assists, turning into the primary participant in Wings historical past to file a points-assists double-double in a single half. She dished 10 assists earlier than halftime and out-assisted the whole Liberty roster by way of the primary two quarters. It marked the fifth points-assists double-double of her profession and her first this season.
“It was a career-high in assists, so most likely,” Ogunbowale mentioned when requested if it was the most effective decision-making sport of her profession. “My teammates had been knocking all the pieces down. It was nice workforce basketball.”
Wings Seize Management Early
Dallas outscored New York 63–36 by way of two quarters. The Wings shot 58.7 % from the ground and recorded 20 assists within the half, setting a franchise file.
Head coach Chris Koclanes praised the power and execution that outlined the opening stretch.
“Simply power and defensive tenacity,” Koclanes mentioned. “We received stops and ran in transition. We discovered disruption early and had been aggressive on the level of assault. I’m happy with that begin.”
The Wings began a brand new lineup that includes JJ Quinerly, Paige Bueckers, Ogunbowale, Haley Jones and Luisa Geiselsöder. The group set the tone early, utilizing an 8-0 run to pressure a first-quarter timeout from the Liberty.
“We had been simply making an attempt to have a quick begin and are available out robust,” Bueckers mentioned. “Deflect, make all the pieces laborious for them on protection, after which get out in transition and run. We had been shifting the ball, getting good pictures, and making catches troublesome for them. Our rotations had been stable. We’re happy with the beginning.”
Bueckers completed with 20 factors, six rebounds, 4 assists and three steals in her tenth 20-point sport of the season. Her presence alongside Ogunbowale continues to be a focus of the Wings’ offense.
“I believe it’s extra communication,” Ogunbowale mentioned. “We made it a degree to only talk with one another extra, choose one another up if we see one thing occurring. Simply constructing that relationship and that chemistry—figuring out we’re form of two leads on this workforce and rather a lot goes by way of us—so we have now to be on the identical web page. We’ve been actually intentional about it.”
Koclanes famous the chemistry between the 2 guards has continued to evolve.
“They’re getting nearer and extra intentional,” he mentioned. “They’re ignoring exterior narratives and specializing in what they will management collectively. It’s a particular relationship within the making.”
Liberty Rally Falls Quick as Wings Maintain On Late
New York switched to a zone within the second half, and Dallas struggled offensively within the fourth quarter. The Wings managed only one subject purpose over the ultimate 10 minutes however maintained the lead on the free throw line and with well timed defensive stops.
“We couldn’t get pictures to go in, so we needed to depend on our protection,” Bueckers mentioned. “They had been getting out in transition and to the free throw line. We tightened up defensively. Their zone slowed us down, so we tried to vary sides of the ground, get into the center of the zone, and assault. We simply gutted it out.”
Regardless of the struggles, the Wings handed the Liberty their eighth lack of the season and secured a lead within the season collection between the groups.
It was 20-20 imaginative and prescient from the @DallasWings backcourt within the win over the Liberty 👀🤝
Paige Bueckers: 20 PTS, 6 REB, 4 AST, 3 STLArike Ogunbowale: 20 PTS, 14 AST (career-high), 2 3PM
Arike additionally turned the primary participant in WNBA historical past to have 15 PTS & 10 AST in a half!… pic.twitter.com/FBWmZVAWs6
— WNBA (@WNBA) July 29, 2025
“We’ve been treating it like a brand new season—scratch all the pieces that occurred earlier than and concentrate on the current,” Ogunbowale mentioned. “That’s what I’ve been doing. That’s what we’ve been doing.”
Bueckers turned the eye again to her teammate when requested about her personal regular efficiency.
“For me, it wasn’t about my efficiency—it was about Arike’s,” she mentioned. “She had 20 factors, 14 assists, just one turnover. Taking part in inside the offense, on each ends of the ground. Tonight’s story ought to be about her.”
The Wings return to motion Wednesday night time at Faculty Park Middle once they host the Atlanta Dream. Tipoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. CT.
