STWF Sports | ARLINGTON, Texas | July 29, 2026 — The Dallas Wings controlled most of Wednesday night’s matchup against the Atlanta Dream, but a furious fourth-quarter rally turned a double-digit advantage into a heartbreaking 82-81 loss before a sold-out crowd at College Park Center.

The Rise of the Dallas Wings in the WNBA

Dallas led by as many as 15 points and carried a 12-point cushion into the final period. Atlanta responded by outscoring the Wings 30-17 over the final 10 minutes, completing the comeback and sweeping the three-game regular-season series.

The loss dropped Dallas to 18-10, while Atlanta improved to 17-10.

Arike Ogunbowale led the Wings with 24 points, six rebounds, five assists and a season-high four steals. Azzi Fudd added 20 points on an efficient 9-of-13 shooting performance, while Jessica Shepard continued her historic season with 16 points and a game-high 14 rebounds.

Shepard’s performance marked her league-leading 19th double-double and her eighth consecutive double-double, the longest streak in Wings franchise history. Paige Bueckers contributed 16 points and six assists, giving her 19 games this season with double-digit scoring and at least five assists.

Dallas opened the night with balanced execution. Shepard scored eight first-quarter points as the Wings shot 50 percent from the field, but Atlanta closed the period with four straight points to tie the game at 16.

The Wings created separation in the second quarter. Bueckers regained the lead with a midrange jumper, and Dallas followed with a 10-0 run that pushed the margin to 36-26. Ogunbowale scored eight points in the period as the Wings entered halftime ahead 38-32.

Dallas appeared ready to take control in the third.

Fudd drilled consecutive three-pointers during a personal 6-0 burst, including one following her own steal, to extend the lead to 50-37. The advantage eventually reached 15 before Atlanta briefly answered. Ogunbowale closed the quarter with an and-one finish and a technical free throw, sending the Wings into the fourth with a 64-52 lead.

The game shifted rapidly from there.

Atlanta attacked the paint, forced turnovers and consistently reached the free-throw line. The Dream opened the fourth on a 10-4 run before Dallas answered with six of the next eight points. Fudd’s transition layup gave the Wings a 76-67 lead with 4:06 remaining.

Bueckers later buried a step-back three-pointer to make it 79-73 with 1:26 left, but Atlanta refused to fade.

Allisha Gray led the comeback and finished with a game-high 25 points. With Dallas holding a narrow advantage late, Gray drew a flagrant foul on a three-point attempt with 18.7 seconds remaining. She converted all three free throws, cutting the Wings’ lead to 81-80 while Atlanta retained possession.

The Dream then produced the eventual game-winning basket with 15 seconds left. Dallas had one final opportunity, but its last attempt did not fall.

Atlanta finished with a decisive advantage in several areas. The Dream outrebounded Dallas 37-32, scored 58 points in the paint and received 21 bench points compared with one from the Wings. Atlanta also scored 22 points from 18 Dallas turnovers.

The Wings shot 49.3 percent overall but made only four three-pointers and converted just 9 of 14 free throws. Atlanta overcame a 1-of-16 performance from beyond the arc by shooting 19 of 25 at the foul line.

Dallas will look to regroup quickly when it closes July on the road against the Washington Mystics on Friday. Tipoff is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. CT on ION.