ARLINGTON, Texas (Aug. 29, 2025) — The Dallas Wings begin a challenging four-game road trip on Friday night when they visit the Atlanta Dream at Gateway Center Arena. Tipoff is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. CT, with national coverage on ION. Veteran broadcaster Bob Rathbun and analyst Tabitha Turner will be on the call, joined by courtside reporter Tenitra Batiste.

The contest presents a difficult test for Dallas (9-30), which is battling both injuries and inconsistency, while Atlanta (24-14) continues its push for playoff positioning in the Eastern Conference.

Wings Face More Injury Setbacks

The Wings enter Friday’s matchup on the heels of a 101-95 loss to the Connecticut Sun on Wednesday, a game in which the team’s injury list grew longer. Luisa Geiselsöder and standout rookie Aziaha James both exited late in the contest with injuries and did not return.

James had been the catalyst for Dallas before leaving, tallying a game-high 22 points, six assists and five rebounds. It marked her second 20+ point, 5+ assist performance in just her first professional season. With James’ status uncertain, the Wings will likely lean even more heavily on Maddy Siegrist, who has led the team in scoring consistently throughout August.

Myisha Hines-Allen provided a spark against Connecticut with a season-high 18 points and seven rebounds, while Amy Okonkwo added a career-high 14 off the bench, her second straight double-digit performance. Head coach Chris Koclanes will need similar production from his supporting cast to contend with Atlanta’s balanced lineup.

Atlanta Aiming to Bounce Back

The Dream, meanwhile, are seeking to rebound after falling 81-75 to the Las Vegas Aces on Wednesday night. Forward Brionna Jones led the way with 19 points, while guard Rhyne Howard added 14. Atlanta shot just 39% from the floor and struggled to slow the Aces’ backcourt in the loss.

Still, the Dream enter Friday with a 24-14 record, securing themselves as one of the league’s most improved teams in 2025. Head coach Tanisha Wright’s group has thrived behind strong interior play from Jones and Naz Hillmon, complemented by Howard’s perimeter scoring.

Series Recap: Dream Lead 2-1

This will be the fourth and final meeting of the regular season between Dallas and Atlanta. The Dream currently hold a 2-1 edge after winning the most recent matchup, an 88-85 thriller in Arlington on July 30.

In that game, Hillmon delivered a team-high 21 points, while Paige Bueckers led the Wings with 21 points of her own. Dallas nearly rallied late, but Atlanta’s balance proved decisive.

The Wings’ lone win over the Dream came back on June 9, when Siegrist poured in 24 points to help Dallas secure an 89-81 victory at College Park Center.

Key Matchups to Watch

• Dallas Frontcourt vs. Atlanta’s Post Players: With Geiselsöder sidelined and James questionable, Dallas’ interior defense will be tested against Jones and Hillmon, two of the league’s most consistent rebounders. Hines-Allen’s ability to match their physicality will be crucial.

• Maddy Siegrist vs. Rhyne Howard: Siegrist has been Dallas’ steady scorer, while Howard remains Atlanta’s perimeter centerpiece. Both wings are capable of swinging the game with hot shooting stretches.

• Dallas Depth vs. Atlanta Consistency: Players like Okonkwo and Haley Jones will need to deliver secondary scoring for Dallas to stay competitive against a Dream roster that typically sees four to five players in double figures.

What’s at Stake

For Atlanta, every game carries playoff implications as they jockey for seeding in the top half of the Eastern Conference. A win would further solidify their position while extending their dominance over Dallas in 2025.

For the Wings, the focus is on development and resilience. With multiple rookies logging major minutes and key players sidelined, Koclanes’ group is building toward the future while looking to spoil postseason-bound opponents’ momentum.

Tipoff is set for 6:30 p.m. CT at Gateway Center Arena in College Park, Georgia. With Dallas aiming to avoid a season series loss and Atlanta seeking to bounce back, Friday night’s matchup promises an intriguing battle of contrasting trajectories.