Arlington, TX (July 3, 2025) – The future arrived in full force at College Park Center as the Dallas Wings, starting four rookies, stunned the second-place Phoenix Mercury 98-89 behind a breakout performance from Aziaha James. The victory was the Wings’ fourth straight at home and fifth win in their last seven games, improving their record to 6-13. Phoenix, meanwhile, fell to 12-6, suffering back-to-back losses for the first time in over a month. Playing without star guard Arike Ogunbowale (thumb), the Wings leaned on their youth—and that gamble paid off in electric fashion.
Rookie Takeover
Aziaha James delivered a career night with 28 points, six rebounds, six assists, and a franchise rookie-record five 3-pointers. Her performance etched her name into league history as just the fifth rookie ever to post 25+ points, 5+ rebounds, 5+ assists, and 5+ threes in a single game.
Paige Bueckers, recently named the WNBA Rookie of the Month, added 23 points, five assists, and four rebounds, recording her seventh career 20-point game, now third-most by a rookie in franchise history.
JJ Quinerly continued her rise with personal bests of 17 points, seven assists, and five rebounds, while center Li Yueru anchored the paint with a 12-point, 11-rebound double-double.
Quarter-by-Quarter Breakdown
First Quarter: Dallas 32, Phoenix 20
Dallas exploded out the gates, shooting 76.9% from the field in their highest-scoring first quarter of the season. Bueckers hit a deep triple to cap an 11-0 run, while James and Quinerly combined for 14 points in the opening frame.
Second Quarter: Dallas 29, Phoenix 23
Despite Kahleah Copper’s offensive surge for Phoenix, James caught fire with 20 first-half points, staying perfect from the floor and deep. Dallas ended the half with 61 total points, tied for the highest-scoring half by any WNBA team this season.
Third Quarter: Dallas 21, Phoenix 28
Copper and Satou Sabally powered a Phoenix push, combining for 24 points in the third. However, James responded with an and-one finish, and Bueckers stayed efficient in the midrange to keep the Wings ahead 82-71 heading into the fourth.
Fourth Quarter: Dallas 16, Phoenix 18
Dallas extended their lead to as many as 17 points before Phoenix responded with a late run. Monique Akoa Makani and Copper chipped away, but clutch defense and trips to the free-throw line helped the Wings preserve the win. James capped her night with another triple, while Teaira McCowan added a block and nine points in her return to action.
By the Numbers
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Field Goal %: Dallas 47.8% | Phoenix 44.1%
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3-Point %: Dallas 36.4% | Phoenix 29.4%
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Free Throw %: Dallas 83.9%
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Rebounds: Dallas 38 | Phoenix 26
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Turnovers: Dallas 15 | Phoenix 12
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Bench Points: Dallas 20 | Phoenix 12
Historic Rookie Output
Rookies accounted for 73 of Dallas’ 98 points (74.5%), as the Wings became the first team since 2000 to start four rookies in a game. The group also combined for 20 assists and 18 rebounds in a landmark team performance.
Next Up
Dallas heads to Phoenix for a rematch on Sunday, July 7, with tipoff set for 9 p.m. CT. The season series is now tied 1-1, and all eyes will be on the Wings’ rookie core to see if lightning can strike twice on the road
