ARLINGTON, Texas — The Dallas Wings will get another swing at solving a familiar challenge tonight as they host the Atlanta Dream, a team that has already handed them two losses this season. Tip-off is set for 7 p.m. CT at College Park Center.
Despite the season series, the Wings believe they are in a better position coming out of the All-Star break, pointing to improved preparation and a renewed focus on correcting the mistakes that cost them wins in the first two meetings.
“I think just taking from the other two last games our mistakes and correcting them,” second-year guard Aziaha James said. “I feel like we’ve been doing good just coming back from All-Star break, having our two practices. So just dialing in on the details and what coach is saying, and yeah, let’s get the win.”
Rebounding Against Angel Reese Is the First Test
Atlanta presents one of the league’s toughest defensive challenges. Even with injuries affecting its rotation, the Dream remain one of the WNBA’s top rebounding teams, ranking fourth in the league at 34.6 rebounds per game.
For forward Awak Kuier, one of the keys to victory is matching Atlanta’s physicality on the glass against Angel Reese.
“I just feel like (we need to be) putting more attention to rebounding in general,” Kuier said. “Angel is really good at it. So just working early, knowing that she’s good at it and just being prepared for it.”
Azzi Fudd Gives Dallas Another Way to Attack
Dallas will also look to continue getting rookie guard Azzi Fudd involved after her recent stretch of efficient perimeter shooting. Fudd is shooting a scorching 45.6% from 3-point range over the past five games, though Atlanta boasts one of the best perimeter defenses in the league and excels at switching screens and running shooters off the 3-point line.
But Dallas believes Fudd’s offensive versatility gives the Wings multiple ways to attack.
“She’s a natural-born shooter,” James said. “But she also has other capabilities in her game, like attacking downhill, finding the right people for other shots. She can do it all around.”
Defensively, the Wings will have their hands full with Atlanta’s talented backcourt, including former Dallas guard Allisha Gray and standout scorer Rhyne Howard. James, an X-factor on defense for the Wings, said her focus will be on making winning plays in whatever form they come.
“Just dialing in, trying to get the easy buckets or just getting us extra possessions,” she said. “Whether that’s rebounding, getting a steal, anything I can help my team with.”
For Dallas, the formula is straightforward. Clean up the details that hurt them in the first two matchups, compete on the boards, and create extra possessions.
If the Wings can accomplish those goals, they’ll have a chance to rebound from those two earlier losses and grab a statement win in the final meeting of the season series.
