STWF Sports | WASHINGTON, D.C. | Aug. 5, 2026 — The Dallas Wings appeared to be in control Wednesday night, but a dramatic fourth-quarter collapse turned a commanding advantage into a 96-92 loss to the Washington Mystics at a sold-out CareFirst Arena.
Washington Mystics Make a Stunning Comeback
Dallas led by as many as 20 points late in the third quarter before Washington stormed back, outscoring the Wings 40-16 over the final 13 minutes. The result dropped Dallas to 19-12, while Washington improved to 17-12 and captured the regular-season series 2-1.
Jessica Shepard and Alanna Smith delivered standout performances for Dallas, with both recording double-doubles.
Shepard matched her career high with 22 points while adding 11 rebounds, a game-high seven assists and one steal. The performance marked her 20th double-double of the season, second-most in the WNBA.
Shepard also surpassed 500 career assists, becoming the third-fastest player in league history to reach 1,000 points, 1,000 rebounds and 500 assists. She accomplished the milestone in just 156 career games.
Smith produced one of her strongest games of the season, finishing with 21 points, 11 rebounds, one assist, two steals and three blocks in 31 minutes. She either matched or established season highs in several categories while recording her first double-double of 2026 and the sixth of her WNBA career.
Paige Bueckers added 17 points, five rebounds, four assists and two blocks, while Arike Ogunbowale contributed 15 points, five assists and three rebounds.
Dallas could hardly have started better.
The Wings scored a season-high 31 first-quarter points and carried a 31-28 lead into the second. Shepard set the tone by going 4-for-4 from the field and scoring eight points in the opening period.
Dallas then created major separation before halftime.
After Washington pulled within four at 46-42, the Wings closed the second quarter on a 12-2 run to take a 59-44 advantage into the locker room.
The offensive efficiency was exceptional. Dallas shot 67.7 percent from the field in the first half, making 21 of 31 attempts. It was only the third time in franchise history the Wings had shot at least 67.7 percent in a half.
The momentum initially continued after halftime when Bueckers knocked down a three to stretch the lead to 62-44.
Washington, however, refused to disappear.
The Mystics responded with a 10-2 run before Dallas rebuilt the advantage. Shepard’s putback and an Ogunbowale three helped push the lead to 19, and the Wings eventually reached a game-high 20-point margin.
Then everything changed.
Washington closed the third quarter on an 18-7 run, cutting Dallas’ advantage to 80-72. That surge carried directly into the fourth.
The Wings briefly pushed the lead back to 10, but the Mystics answered with a 10-2 run. Cotie McMahon’s three-point play eventually gave Washington its first lead, 89-88, with three minutes remaining.
Dallas still had opportunities late.
Ogunbowale’s free throws made it 93-90 with a minute remaining, and after a defensive stop, she appeared to draw a foul on McMahon. Washington challenged the call, however, and officials overturned it.
McMahon scored on the other end to restore a five-point advantage. Bueckers answered with a driving layup to make it 95-92 with seven seconds left, but Sonia Citron split two free throws before Bueckers’ final three-point attempt missed.
Shakira Austin led Washington with 27 points and 13 rebounds. McMahon provided the decisive bench production with a career-high 18 points, including 10 in the fourth quarter.
Both teams shot exactly 50 percent from the field, but Washington held advantages in the paint, 48-36, on the boards, 34-32, and off the bench, 24-8.
Dallas will now return home looking to regroup when it hosts the Golden State Valkyries on Friday, Aug. 7, at American Airlines Center. Tipoff is scheduled for 8:30 p.m. CT on ION.
