June 27, 2025 – Dallas, TX
The Dallas Wings delivered a spirited comeback effort Friday night at the American Airlines Center, but ultimately fell to the Indiana Fever, 94–86, in a game defined by records, resilience, and rising stars.
Playing in front of a sold-out crowd of 20,409 — the largest ever for a WNBA game in Texas and the eighth regular-season contest in league history to draw over 20,000 fans — the Wings nearly erased a 20-point deficit before Kelsey Mitchell’s offensive explosion sealed the win for Indiana.
Mitchell was unstoppable, finishing with 32 points, seven assists, and the poise of a seasoned closer. The win lifts Indiana to 8-8 on the season, while Dallas slips to 4-13 despite an electrifying performance from rookie Paige Bueckers.
Historic Night for Paige Bueckers
In just her 17th professional game, Bueckers etched her name into WNBA history books by becoming the first player ever to post 25+ points, 5+ assists, 2+ steals, 2+ blocks, and zero turnovers in a single game. She led Dallas with 27 points, six assists, and two steals, sparking multiple scoring runs that nearly flipped the game’s momentum.
Aziaha James (14 points) and Arike Ogunbowale (15) provided scoring support, while NaLyssa Smith tied her season high with 10 rebounds and contributed key plays in the Wings’ third-quarter surge.
Quarter-by-Quarter Breakdown
1st Quarter: Fever 33, Wings 13
Indiana raced out to a 12-0 start and shot a scorching 81.2% from the field in the opening frame. The Wings struggled mightily, shooting just 26.3% and recording their lowest first-quarter scoring output of the season.
2nd Quarter: Wings 30, Fever 23
Led by Bueckers and a spark off the bench from James, Dallas responded with a 30-point second quarter, cutting the deficit to 13 at halftime. Bueckers capped the half with a deep three-pointer, injecting life into the sold-out crowd.
3rd Quarter: Wings 26, Fever 18
Dallas came out firing after the break, trimming the lead to as little as three. Ogunbowale’s and-one finish and Smith’s post presence brought the Wings to within striking distance. Dallas outscored Indiana in the paint and shot a blazing 60% from the floor.
4th Quarter: Fever 20, Wings 17
The Wings took their first lead of the night at 80–79 on a tough and-one by JJ Quinerly with just under five minutes remaining. However, Natasha Howard (8 points in the quarter) and Mitchell answered with a 9-0 Indiana run, silencing the Dallas rally.
By the Numbers
- Wings FG%: 42.6%
- Fever FG%: 50.7%
- Turnovers (Dallas): 8 (season low)
- Bench Points: Dallas 28, Indiana 10
- Rebounding: Even at 32 apiece
A Night to Remember
The historic crowd surpassed previous Texas WNBA records set by the Houston Comets and San Antonio Silver Stars. The Wings joined just three other franchises — Washington, Las Vegas, and Detroit — in hosting a 20K+ fan regular-season game. The atmosphere, passion, and stakes set the stage for what felt like a postseason battle.
What’s Next
The Wings return to action Saturday night at College Park Center in Arlington for a back-to-back matchup against the Washington Mystics — a team that narrowly beat Dallas in overtime last Sunday. Tipoff is set for 7:00 p.m. CT, airing locally on KFAA and streaming on WNBA League Pass.
Despite the loss, the future in Dallas looks bright — and with Paige Bueckers leading the way, the Wings continue to be one of the league’s most compelling young teams to watch.
