ATLANTA, Ga. (Aug. 29, 2025) — For three quarters, the Dallas Wings battled toe-to-toe with one of the WNBA’s hottest teams. But the combination of fatigue and limited depth proved too much, as the Atlanta Dream surged in the fourth quarter to claim a 100-78 victory Friday night at Gateway Center Arena.
Maddy Siegrist poured in a career-high 23 points on 10-of-17 shooting and added five rebounds, while rookie sensation Paige Bueckers notched 16 points and 10 assists, securing her second career points-assists double-double. Despite their efforts, Dallas (9-31) could not withstand Atlanta’s final push. The Dream (25-14), led by Rhyne Howard’s 24 points, clinched a playoff berth with the win.
New Look Starting Five
With injuries depleting the roster, head coach Chris Koclanes was forced to field yet another new starting lineup: Grace Berger, Bueckers, Siegrist, Diamond Miller, and Myisha Hines-Allen. Miller earned her first career start, while Dallas dressed only eight players total — three of whom joined the team on hardship contracts in the last week, including Christyn Williams, signed Friday morning.
Early on, the Wings looked unfazed by their thin bench. Siegrist set the tone in the opening quarter, scoring 11 points on 5-of-6 shooting to match her career high for points in a frame. Dallas connected on 56.2% of its shots to grab a 30-21 advantage before Atlanta trimmed the margin to 21-19 after one.
Atlanta Finds Its Range
The second quarter shifted momentum. The Dream caught fire from beyond the arc, hitting seven three-pointers while shooting 58.3% from deep. A blistering 18-4 run turned a narrow deficit into a 40-31 lead midway through the period, and back-to-back Howard threes extended the cushion to double digits.
Siegrist and Amy Okonkwo combined for 11 points in the frame to keep Dallas afloat, but Atlanta’s efficiency from the perimeter overwhelmed the Wings’ defense. Howard poured in 14 first-half points, while Mabrey and Tina Charles chipped in double figures before intermission.
Despite shooting a solid 51.4% overall, Dallas entered the locker room trailing 54-49.
Wings Rally in the Third
Dallas showed resilience after halftime, outscoring Atlanta 27-22 in the third. Siegrist added seven points, while Okonkwo continued her impressive run with another seven of her own, reaching double figures for the third straight game.
The Wings chipped away at the deficit, cutting a 10-point margin down to three at 60-57 following Okonkwo’s triple. Though the Dream responded with a 9-2 spurt, Dallas fought back again with an 8-2 run to close the quarter within striking distance, 71-67.
With just 10 minutes remaining, the shorthanded Wings appeared poised to challenge Atlanta to the final buzzer.
Dream Dominate the Fourth
The final quarter told a different story. Dallas went ice cold, shooting just 23.8% from the field and 0-of-6 from deep, while Atlanta caught fire once more. The Dream poured in 29 points on 76.9% shooting, led by Howard and Allisha Gray, who scored 19 overall.
Bueckers added four points in the frame to reach 16, but the Wings were outscored 29-11 as fatigue and limited depth took their toll.
By the Numbers
Dallas shot 45.2% from the field, but just 27.8% (5-of-18) from three and 77.8% from the free-throw line. The Wings held a narrow 46-44 edge in points in the paint but were outrebounded 31-26.
Atlanta was the more balanced and efficient team, hitting 55.1% overall and 45.5% (15-of-33) from three. The Dream also controlled the pace, turning efficient shooting into extended runs that Dallas could not match in the fourth.
Looking Ahead
Despite the loss, Siegrist’s career night and Bueckers’ second points-assists double-double offered bright spots for the Wings as they continue to navigate injuries and roster turnover.
The Wings remain on the road, traveling to face the Minnesota Lynx on Monday night at Target Center. Tipoff is set for 7 p.m. CT, with coverage on KFAA29 in Dallas-Fort Worth and nationally on NBA TV.
Final Score: Atlanta Dream 100, Dallas Wings 78
