ARLINGTON, Texas (July 26, 2025) – The Dallas Wings kick off a pivotal four-game homestand on Sunday afternoon with a high-stakes matchup against the defending champion Las Vegas Aces. Tipoff is set for 3 p.m. CT at a sold-out College Park Center, where a raucous home crowd will look to lift the Wings (7-18) to their first win over the Aces this season. The game will air locally on KFAA29 and stream on ESPN3, with Ron Thulin and Fran Harris on the call and Tiffany Bias-Patmon reporting from the sideline.

Familiar Foes, Familiar Frustrations

Sunday’s contest will be the third meeting of the season between Dallas and Las Vegas, with the Aces (12-13) having narrowly escaped with victories in both prior games — 88-84 in Las Vegas on June 13 and 90-86 in Arlington on July 16. In the most recent matchup, Dallas had four players score in double figures and gave the reigning champs all they could handle before faltering in the closing minutes.

Rookie guard JJ Quinerly delivered a breakout performance in that game, scoring 17 points and notching a career-high five steals. Arike Ogunbowale and Paige Bueckers also combined for 32 points, showcasing the potent backcourt tandem Dallas has leaned on all season.

However, Bueckers will not suit up Sunday, as she has been ruled out for rest after leading the team in scoring (17 points) during Friday’s 86-76 loss to the Golden State Valkyries. Her absence adds further strain to a depleted Wings roster already missing Ty Harris (left knee), Myisha Hines-Allen (right lower leg), and Maddy Siegrist (right knee).

Opportunity Amid Adversity

With Bueckers sidelined, expect a larger offensive load to fall on Ogunbowale, who leads the Wings in scoring at 19.6 points per game. Quinerly, DiJonai Carrington, and veteran Natasha Howard will also need to step up if Dallas is to pull off the upset.

The Wings have played competitive basketball against top-tier teams despite their record, but closing games remains an issue. Head coach Chris Koclanes has emphasized composure and defensive communication as keys to finishing strong — an area that proved costly in the fourth quarter Friday when Dallas was outscored 24-13 by Golden State.

Sunday presents a crucial opportunity for the Wings to reset the tone of their season in front of a home crowd that has continued to show up in force despite the team’s struggles.

Aces Reeling After Blowout Loss

Las Vegas enters the contest following a humbling 109-78 defeat at the hands of the Minnesota Lynx on Friday — one of their worst losses in recent memory. A’ja Wilson finished with 15 points in that game, but the Aces were outclassed in every phase and will likely come into Arlington eager to reassert their dominance.

Wilson, the two-time MVP, is averaging 21.9 points and 10.6 rebounds per game and continues to be the focal point of Las Vegas’ offense. Chelsea Gray and Kelsey Plum — both capable of catching fire from deep — round out a dangerous veteran core that thrives on transition play and half-court precision.

The Aces are 7-7 on the road this season and have dropped four of their last six, but they have not lost to Dallas since July 2022, winning nine straight in the head-to-head series.

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Aces vs Wings Pregame Warmups

Looking Ahead

Following Sunday’s battle, the Wings will remain home for a grueling stretch against three top-tier opponents in five days: the New York Liberty on Monday, the Atlanta Dream on Wednesday, and a marquee matchup with Caitlin Clark and the Indiana Fever on Friday at American Airlines Center.

It’s a defining week for Dallas. If they want to keep their slim playoff hopes alive, it starts by flipping the script against a familiar foe.

Tipoff: Sunday, July 27 – 3 p.m. CT
Watch: KFAA29 (local), ESPN3 (streaming)
Follow: @DallasWings | @DallasWingsPR | stats.wnba.com for live stats

Did You Know? The Aces lead the all-time series 47-39, but the Wings haven’t beaten Las Vegas since relocating to Arlington — a streak they’re desperate to snap in front of their home fans.