WNBA Preview: Minnesota Lynx (23-8) vs Dallas Wings (8-22)

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Dallas Wings logo

The Dallas Wings will try to parlay two of their most rousing wins of the season into a late push for the playoffs when they host the surging Minnesota Lynx on Friday in Arlington, Texas.

The Wings (8-22) are in the hunt for a season-high third win of the year after beating two-time defending league champion Las Vegas 93-90 on Tuesday. Satou Sabally led Dallas with 28 points in the win and helped the Wings overcome a 42-point performance from the Aces’ A’ja Wilson.

Tuesday’s victory came after Dallas stormed back from 19 points down in the fourth quarter to beat Los Angeles on Sunday.

Dallas trailed by a point with 46.5 seconds to play on Tuesday before late free throws by Sabally and Arike Ogunbowale lifted the Wings. Natasha Howard added 24 points and Ogunbowale finished with 20 for Dallas, while Teaira McCowan grabbed 17 rebounds.

The Wings are in 11th place in the 12-team league, three games behind eighth-place Chicago and three spots below the playoff line.

The Lynx (23-8) have won seven straight games, are in second place in the league standings (2 1/2 games behind New York) and have already clinched a playoff spot with nine games remaining.

Minnesota’s most recent victory was an 89-76 decision at Phoenix on Wednesday as Kayla McBride led the way with 19 points, Courtney Williams added 16, Napheesa Collier hit for 12 points and eight rebounds and Myisha Hines-Allen tallied 11 points off the bench.

The Lynx, the WNBA’s top 3-point shooting team at 39.2 percent, poured in 11 shots from beyond the arc. They have won all six games by double digits since the league restart after the All-Star and Olympic break.

The Lynx have won two of the first three games with Dallas this season but the Wings captured the most recent meeting, a 94-88 victory on June 27 in Arlington.

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WNBA Editor
Profile: A dedicated WNBA analyst with a deep understanding of the league’s tactical evolution, player‑development pathways, and expanding cultural impact. This columnist provides comprehensive coverage that blends advanced metrics, film study, and league‑wide context to highlight the storylines shaping modern professional women’s basketball. Background: With extensive experience covering the WNBA and women’s basketball at multiple levels, the columnist has contributed to national sports outlets and digital platforms, offering perspective on coaching trends, roster construction, and organizational strategy. A background in sports journalism and analytics supports a disciplined approach to evaluating performance, interpreting data, and tracking team progression throughout the season. Signature Coverage Areas: Game previews and matchup analysis Film‑based breakdowns of offensive and defensive systems Player evaluation, draft analysis, and free‑agency movement Team‑building strategy, salary‑cap dynamics, and front‑office trends Historical context, league milestones, and postseason features Style & Approach: The writing emphasizes clarity, accuracy, and accessibility — translating complex schemes and statistical models into insights that resonate with both long‑time WNBA fans and new followers of the league. Each column reflects a commitment to balanced reporting, thoughtful evaluation, and a deep appreciation for the WNBA’s growth, competitiveness, and influence on the broader basketball landscape.