Arlington, TX (Sept. 11, 2025) — The Dallas Wings will close the book on their 2025 campaign Thursday night when they host the Phoenix Mercury in front of a sold-out crowd at College Park Center. Tipoff is set for 7 p.m. CT, with the game airing locally in the Dallas-Fort Worth market on KFAA29 and streaming on WNBA League Pass for out-of-market viewers. Veteran broadcasters Ron Thulin and Fran Harris will have the call, with Tiffany Bias-Patmon reporting from courtside.

The contest doubles as Fan Appreciation Night, offering a chance for Dallas to finish an otherwise challenging season on a high note while celebrating a loyal fan base that has packed the arena throughout the summer.

Fan Appreciation Night Festivities

Thursday’s matchup will mark Dallas’ ninth sellout of the season and the eighth of the regular season — a testament to the franchise’s growing presence in the metroplex. To honor their supporters, the Wings will feature a series of giveaways, highlighted by the “Golden Ticket” prizes. Ten lucky fans will win exclusive items such as signed jerseys, Apple Watches, AirPods, iPads, and JBL Party Box speakers.

The night will also include a special Paige Bueckers commemorative t-shirt giveaway, celebrating the rookie guard’s record-breaking season. In addition, three season ticket members who renewed for 2026 will win a trip to the 2026 WNBA All-Star Game, underscoring the organization’s commitment to rewarding its most dedicated supporters.

Season Series on the Line

The Wings (9-34) will aim to even the season series with Phoenix after dropping both games on the road and capturing a statement 98-89 home win on July 3. In that contest, rookie guard Aziaha James stole the show with a career-high 28 points, showcasing her ability to shoulder a major scoring load.

The Mercury (27-16), meanwhile, enter Thursday’s game already locked into the No. 4 seed in the upcoming WNBA Playoffs. They will face the New York Liberty in the opening round regardless of the outcome in Arlington. Phoenix has had the upper hand historically, holding a 50-33 edge in the all-time series, but Dallas will look to defend its home court one final time.

Rookie Spotlight: Paige Bueckers

While the Wings’ season has been marred by injuries and inconsistency, Bueckers’ historic rookie campaign has been a silver lining. The 21-year-old guard has already broken the franchise rookie scoring record and sits among the top five all-time in WNBA rookie scoring. Her poise and production have drawn comparisons to league legends, and Thursday’s Fan Appreciation Night will double as an opportunity for fans to celebrate her achievements.

Injury Report

Dallas will once again be shorthanded. Luisa Geiselsöder (shoulder), Ty Harris (knee), Arike Ogunbowale (knee), JJ Quinerly (knee), and Li Yueru (knee) are all ruled out. With several key players sidelined, the Wings will likely lean on Bueckers, James, Maddy Siegrist, and Myisha Hines-Allen to carry the load.

Keys to the Game

• Dallas’ Energy: With nothing left to play for in the standings, the Wings’ motivation will come from pride and fan support. Expect Dallas to push the pace early and feed off the energy of a sold-out building.

• Phoenix’s Focus: With their playoff seeding secured, the Mercury may use the game to fine-tune rotations and rest key players. Still, they will want to avoid bad habits before facing a New York team built for a championship run.

• Backcourt Production: The guard play of Bueckers and James will be critical against a veteran Phoenix backcourt that thrives in high-pressure moments.

Outlook

Though the Wings will not advance to the postseason, Thursday’s game offers an opportunity to close 2025 with momentum while honoring a fan base that has continued to show up in record numbers. For the Mercury, it’s a final tune-up before beginning their playoff journey.

For Dallas, a victory on Fan Appreciation Night would be a fitting conclusion to a season defined by resilience, growth, and the emergence of a rookie star.

Prediction: Dallas Wings 87, Phoenix Mercury 83