The Dallas Wings kicked off their 2024 WNBA campaign with an impressive 87-79 victory over the Chicago Sky on Wednesday night at College Park Center in Arlington, Texas.
In a highly anticipated clash between two Western Conference powerhouses, the Dallas Wings emerged victorious in their season opener, showcasing their depth and resilience against the Chicago Sky.
The Wings got off to a slow start, trailing 20-14 at the end of the first quarter. However, they roared back in the second quarter, outscoring the Sky 28-15 to take a 42-35 halftime lead. Arike Ogunbowale led the way for Dallas in the first half, scoring 15 points on 6-of-9 shooting.
The third quarter saw the Sky fight back, reducing the deficit to just three points at 60-57 heading into the final period. However, the Wings put their foot on the gas in the fourth quarter, outscoring Chicago 27-22 to secure the victory.
Ogunbowale finished the game with a team-high 23 points, followed by Teaira McCowan with 15 points and 11 rebounds. Skylar Diggins-Smith added 14 points, while Marina Mabrey chipped in with 11.
For the Sky, Kahleah Copper led the scoring with 17 points, while Emma Meesseman added 16 points and 11 rebounds. Courtney Vandersloot also had a solid outing, contributing 10 points and 7 assists.
The Wings' victory was a testament to their balanced attack, as four players finished in double figures. They also shot a respectable 45.6% from the field and made 11 three-pointers.
Meanwhile, the Sky struggled to find their rhythm from beyond the arc, making only 4-of-22 three-point attempts. They also committed 14 turnovers, which proved costly against a strong Dallas defense.
While the Sky played hard and showed glimpses of their potential, they ultimately fell short against a veteran Wings squad that made key plays down the stretch.
The victory marks a promising start to the season for the Dallas Wings, who are looking to build on their playoff appearance last year. They will face the Los Angeles Sparks on the road in their next game on May 20th.
For the Chicago Sky, there is plenty of room for improvement heading into their home opener against the Minnesota Lynx on May 18th. With a talented roster and a proven coach in James Wade, they will need to find their consistency and improve their shooting if they want to contend for a championship this season.
