DALLAS – WNBA Game Recap: Fever vs. Wings
Kelsey Mitchell led the Indiana Fever with an impressive 32-point performance, overcoming the absence of the injured Kate Clark. The Fever took an early commanding 22-point lead in the first quarter, ultimately securing a 94-86 win against the Dallas Wings on Friday night.
This matchup was particularly anticipated as it marked the first clash between the last two No. 1 picks in the WNBA Draft, though Clark’s left groin injury kept her sidelined.
This game also represented the inaugural home match for the Wings in the NBA’s Dallas Mavericks arena, a noteworthy shift from their previous location, which was nearly 20 miles away at the University of Texas’ Arlington campus for about nine years.
Amidst some back-and-forth play, the Wings rallied, fueled by a long three-pointer from Bueckers at the halftime buzzer. Despite a slow start, Bueckers ended the game with 27 points.
After trailing by 23 in the first half, the Wings managed to claim a momentary lead in the fourth quarter, but their shooting, a mere 26% in the first ten minutes, ultimately hindered their comeback efforts. Arike Ogunbowale contributed 15 points for the Wings.
On the other hand, Aliya Boston notched 21 points and Natasha Howard dominated with 15 points, 13 rebounds, and three steals, making all 11 of her shots inside the three-point line during the opening quarter, finishing with an impressive 59% shooting overall.
Meanwhile, the absence of Clark was palpable, as she missed her second consecutive game due to ongoing issues with her quadriceps, which had kept her out for five games this season.
The atmosphere in the American Airlines Center was electric with approximately 20,000 fans in attendance, including notable Dallas Mavericks player Kyrie Irving and Cowboys stars like Micah Parsons and Cooper Flagg. Flagg, a recent first-round draft pick, received a warm reception when featured on the videoboards in the third quarter.
Among the attendees was Cade Cunningham, the top pick by the Detroit Pistons four years ago, who sat near Parsons.
Even with all the star power, the crowd buzzed with excitement for Clark and the Fever, who were energized by a fast-paced start from their bench. The Wings briefly took the lead at 80-79 following a three-point play by JJ Quinerly midway through the fourth. However, Ahri MacDonald initiated a crucial 9-0 run that pushed the Fever ahead in a tightly contested match.
