Dallas Wings Face Reigning Champion New York Liberty in High-Stakes Matchup
Arlington, TX (July 27, 2025) – The Dallas Wings return to College Park Center for a marquee matchup on Monday night as they host the defending WNBA champion New York Liberty. Tipoff is set for 7 p.m. CT, with national coverage on ESPN. Pam Ward and LaChina Robinson will call the action, with Angel Gray reporting from courtside.
The Wings (7-19) enter the game on the second night of a back-to-back after a tough 106-80 defeat to the Las Vegas Aces on Sunday. Despite the loss, Dallas saw positives in individual performances. Center Teaira McCowan notched her best outing of the season with 12 points and 13 rebounds, anchoring the paint with physicality. Meanwhile, Haley Jones continued her steady rise, scoring a season-high 15 points to register her fourth consecutive double-figure scoring effort.
The absence of rookie sensation Paige Bueckers loomed large. The league’s eighth-leading scorer, averaging 18.1 points per game, was held out for rest, and her status for Monday’s contest remains a focal point. Dallas last faced a back-to-back on June 27-28, splitting the set with a loss to Indiana followed by a rebound win against Washington.
Liberty Enter with Championship Pedigree
The Liberty (17-7) come into Arlington after their own grueling back-to-back, which ended with a narrow 101-99 loss to the Los Angeles Sparks on Saturday at Barclays Center. All-Star guard Sabrina Ionescu was electric, dropping 30 points while nearly willing her team to victory. Ionescu remains the centerpiece of a Liberty squad that combines star power with depth, alongside Breanna Stewart, Jonquel Jones, and Courtney Vandersloot.
New York swept the season series against Dallas last year, 4-0, using their size and pace to dominate the matchups. Monday night marks the first of three meetings between the teams this season, with the next clash scheduled in Brooklyn on August 5.
Key Storylines to Watch
Paige Bueckers’ Availability
All eyes will be on whether Bueckers suits up after resting Sunday. The rookie has quickly become the Wings’ offensive engine, averaging 18.1 points while adding playmaking with 5.2 assists per game. If she’s unavailable, Dallas will once again need to rely heavily on Arike Ogunbowale and Jones for scoring production.
Battle on the Boards
Dallas has quietly been one of the better rebounding teams in the league, thanks in large part to McCowan and Li Yueru. Containing New York’s frontcourt of Stewart and Jones will be critical if the Wings want to control tempo and limit second-chance opportunities for the Liberty.
Arike Ogunbowale’s Shooting Form
Ogunbowale has shouldered much of the scoring load this season, and her ability to heat up from beyond the arc could be the equalizer against New York’s balanced attack. She has averaged 20.5 points per game over the last two weeks.
Liberty’s Depth and Playmaking
New York thrives on ball movement and spacing, ranking among the league’s best in assists per game. Vandersloot’s orchestration will be key against a Dallas defense that has shown improvement in forcing turnovers but has struggled with consistency in transition coverage.
What’s at Stake
For the Wings, Monday represents both a measuring stick and an opportunity to swing momentum during a challenging stretch. It’s the first of three straight home games, with matchups against Atlanta and Indiana later in the week, the latter taking place at American Airlines Center.
The Liberty, meanwhile, look to bounce back from their narrow loss to Los Angeles and maintain pace near the top of the Eastern Conference standings.
How to Watch
The game tips off at 7 p.m. CT from College Park Center in Arlington and will air nationally on ESPN. Fans can also follow live updates via @DallasWings and @DallasWingsPR, with live stats available on stats.wnba.com.
