July 17, 2024; Arlington, Texas, USA; Dallas Wings defender Arike Ogunbowale (24) with Dallas Wings defender Odyssey after the sport towards the Indiana Fever at School Park Middle ·Odyssey Sims (2) Rejoice collectively. Necessary Credit score: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports activities The Connecticut Solar and Dallas Wings, who face off Friday in Arlington, Texas, after a month’s relaxation, have totally different objectives for the second half of the WNBA’s schedule.
Connecticut is aiming for a championship, and with play resuming after the All-Star break and the Paris Olympics, the Wings are wanting to get out of the league’s method.
Each groups might be on the lookout for a lift from new gamers. The Suns traded guard Marina Marbury to Chicago earlier than halftime, and Dallas lastly moved ahead with German nationwide staff member Satou Sabally within the lineup. A shoulder damage saved her out for the primary half of the season.
The Suns (18-6) have 16 video games to play and can journey to Texas after shedding two of their final three video games earlier than halftime, together with July 16 in New York. The staff was annoyed 82-74.
Devana Bonner leads Connecticut in factors (16.7 factors) and blocks (0.6) per sport, whereas Alyssa Thomas leads the best way in rebounds (9.2), assists (7.6) and steals (1.5) . 5 of Connecticut’s scorers averaged double figures.
Coupled with Mabray, who averaged 14 factors per sport for Chicago this season, the Suns will compete for the WNBA championship.
“I crammed a spot that I knew I may do, and it was an ideal match,” Mabrey stated. “I am right here to win a championship and assist this staff obtain what they have been working in direction of. I do know I am right here too late, however higher late than by no means, you already know.”
In the meantime, Dallas (6-19) is tied for final within the standings with Washington with 15 video games remaining and hopes Sabally will help get the staff again into the playoffs. Eight of the league’s 12 groups made the playoffs, and the Wings entered the second half simply 4 1/2 video games under the playoff line.
Dallas head coach Latricia Trammell stated Sabally seemed “actually good” throughout Monday’s apply.
“I imply, she simply bought again from Paris and was just a little bit jet-lagged, so she was working towards from time to time,” Trammell defined. “Clearly, her affect and her particular person presence on either side of the basketball is fairly particular.”
The Wings misplaced three of their final 4 video games earlier than halftime however gained the final one, a 101-93 victory over Indiana on July 17 in Arlington. Solely three wins adopted, regardless of the efforts of main star defender Arike Ogunbowale. Middle Teaira McCowan averaged 7.3 rebounds and 1.0 blocks per sport.
Connecticut gained its first two video games towards the Wings this 12 months, profitable 74-72 at dwelling on Might 31 and 85-67 on June 15 in Arlington.
–Scene-level media
