CHICAGO, IL (July 9, 2025) — Despite a season-high 18 points and a double-double performance from center Li Yueru, the Dallas Wings couldn’t overcome a strong offensive effort from the Chicago Sky, falling 87-76 at Wintrust Arena on Wednesday night. With the win, the Sky (6-13) completed a 3-0 sweep of the regular-season series, while the Wings dropped to 6-15 on the season.
Yueru led the Wings with 18 points and 10 rebounds, registering her third double-double of the year and providing a much-needed inside presence in a game where Dallas was again without key contributors like Arike Ogunbowale, Maddy Siegrist, Ty Harris, and DiJonai Carrington due to injuries.
Wings Battle with Youth-Filled Lineup
Dallas featured four rookies in the starting lineup for the third straight game — JJ Quinerly, Paige Bueckers, Aziaha James, and Luisa Geiselsöder joined by Yueru. That youth movement continued to show promise, especially from Bueckers and Quinerly. Bueckers tallied 17 points, pushing her streak of consecutive games scoring in double figures to 16, while Quinerly added 16 points, five assists, and a career-best three steals.
Just hours after officially rejoining the team on a rest-of-season contract, Haley Jones contributed four points off the bench in limited action, signaling her readiness to be part of the rotation moving forward.
Back-and-Forth First Half Ends with Sky Pulling Ahead
After falling behind early, the Wings put together a 10-0 run in the first quarter to take a 10-4 lead, sparked by six quick points from Bueckers. Chicago, however, responded with a 9-4 run of its own and held a narrow 19-18 lead at the quarter break.
The second quarter saw the two teams trading buckets until a late push from the Sky — a 10-2 run to close the half — gave them a 45-37 advantage at the break. Yueru was a perfect 3-for-3 from the field in the quarter and continued to find soft spots in Chicago’s defense.
Third Quarter Fireworks from Both Sides
The Wings made their most significant push in the third. Trailing by seven, Dallas responded with a 10-2 run — including five points from Yueru — to briefly take a 55-54 lead. But just as quickly, Chicago answered. Rebecca Allen exploded for 15 points in the period, including three triples, swinging the game back in the Sky’s favor. Chicago shot 61.5% from the field in the quarter, while Dallas struggled to match that efficiency, hitting just 36.8%.
Quinerly had a strong frame with eight points but was forced to the bench after picking up her fifth foul, a blow to Dallas’ rhythm.
Late Rally Falls Short in Fourth
The Sky opened the fourth quarter with a 5-0 spurt, extending their lead to 76-62. The Wings mounted one last rally — a 9-0 run capped by a Bueckers floater — to close the deficit to six with just under four minutes to play. But that was as close as Dallas would get.
They missed their final six shots of the game, as Chicago held firm defensively. Yueru was the only Wing to score more than once in the quarter, and the team shot just 26.7% from the floor in the final 10 minutes.
By the Numbers
Dallas shot 36% from the field, 26.9% from three, and 71.4% from the free-throw line. Chicago, meanwhile, had one of its best shooting performances of the season, going 50.9% overall, 47.6% from deep, and 82.6% from the line.
The Wings forced 18 turnovers, converting them into 24 points, while committing just 11 themselves. However, they were out-rebounded 40-31, and Chicago had the edge in fast break points (14-7).
Rebecca Allen led all scorers with 27 points on 9-of-14 shooting, while Angel Reese notched a 15-point, 11-rebound double-double for the Sky.
Up Next
The Wings will look to salvage their three-game road trip with a nationally televised showdown against the Indiana Fever on Sunday at noon CT on ABC. With their roster still in flux and the rookies continuing to log heavy minutes, Dallas will need another standout performance — and improved shooting — to get back on track.
