Paige Bueckers Says She ‘Should Have Kept It’ On Final Possession Of Dallas Wings’ 82-81 Loss To Atlanta Dream

ARLINGTON, Texas — How does a team manage to lose a game in which it holds their opponent to one made 3-pointer all night?

The Dallas Wings are still searching for that answer after tonight’s crushing 82-81 loss to the Atlanta Dream, their third defeat to Atlanta this season. Despite holding a 12-point lead going into the fourth quarter and receiving strong performances from their stars, Dallas watched the Dream erase the deficit with points in the paint, trips to the free-throw line, and a controversial late sequence that capped the collapse more than it defined it.

Atlanta finished just 1-of-16 (6.2%) from beyond the arc. In most cases that percentage almost always signals defeat. But tonight the Dream dominated the little areas that proved to matter most.

Arike Ogunbowale, Azzi Fudd, and Jessica Shepard Deliver for the Dallas Wings

The Wings largely controlled the game for three quarters and their stars delivered.

Arike Ogunbowale led Dallas with 24 points, 6 rebounds, 5 assists, and 4 steals, being aggressive toward the basket and creating her own shots. Azzi Fudd continued her strong stretch with 20 points, 3 rebounds, 2 assists, and 2 steals, knocking down her signature one-dribble pull-up throughout the night. Jessica Shepard recorded another double-double with 16 points, 14 rebounds, and 5 assists, while Paige Bueckers also added 16 points, with 11 of those points coming in the second half.

For those three quarters, it looked like that production would be enough. Then came the little things.

Angel Reese and Allisha Gray Win the Margins for the Atlanta Dream

For starters, Atlanta owned the glass the entire game, outrebounding Dallas 37-32 while grabbing 12 offensive rebounds, showcasing the identity that has made the Dream one of the league’s best second-chance teams. Angel Reese in particular was relentless, finishing with 22 points, 12 rebounds, 4 assists, and 4 steals, including 5 offensive rebounds.

The Dream also found success at the free-throw line.

Allisha Gray was aggressive and attacked the paint instead of settling for jumpers, finishing with a game-high 25 points while shooting a perfect 9-for-9 from the charity stripe. Dallas, meanwhile, left valuable points behind, shooting just 9-of-14 (64.3%) at the line compared to Atlanta’s 19-of-25 (76%).

Those misses proved costly in a game decided by one point.

Arike Ogunbowale’s Flagrant Foul Sends Allisha Gray to the Line

A pivotal late sequence saw Shepard miss both free throws before Atlanta answered with its lone made 3-pointer of the night. Shortly afterward, Bueckers calmly knocked down two free throws to restore a four-point Dallas lead, but the Wings were never able to deliver the final blow.

Atlanta outscored Dallas 30-17 in the fourth quarter, steadily chipping away at a lead the Wings had spent most of the night trying to protect.

The game’s deciding moment came in the final minute.

With Dallas leading by four, Ogunbowale was called for a foul while contesting a 3-point attempt from Gray. But following a review, officials upgraded the play to a Flagrant 1 for contact in Gray’s landing space, awarding Gray three free throws and giving Atlanta possession. Gray converted all three attempts before later knocking down the game-winning basket.

Wings Coach Jose Fernandez and Paige Bueckers on the Final Minutes

The ruling will undoubtedly be debated, but Wings coach Jose Fernandez did not place the loss solely on that sequence.

“(If) we defend better in that fourth quarter and we don’t give up offensive rebounds,” Fernandez said. “We make our free throws… we finish the game off, it doesn’t come down to that last possession (that) everybody remembers.”

Fernandez also noted that Atlanta’s success inside was exactly what Dallas had hoped to contain entering the matchup.

“What did I talk about the last two days?” Fernandez said. “Points in the paint, either by dribble penetration or second-chance baskets. Nothing’s changed.”

Bueckers echoed the disappointment after watching Atlanta close the game.

“They made tough shots, got to the free-throw line and just executed a little bit better than us,” she said.

Looking back on Dallas’ final offensive possession, Bueckers felt she could have done some things differently.

“I definitely could have kept it and tried to create,” she said. “I trust my teammates… but I think I should have kept it and tried to create.”

Where the Dallas Wings Lost the Smaller Margins

At first glance, it would appear that the Wings did enough right tonight to pull out the victory.

They had winning-caliber performances from their stars. They defended the 3-point line exceptionally well, holding Atlanta to 1-of-16 from deep. They led by 15 at one point and controlled the game for much of the first three quarters.

But the Wings lost the smaller margins.

They gave up 12 offensive rebounds and allowed a staggering 58 points in the paint. Atlanta made 10 more free throws and produced a 30-17 fourth quarter.

The one statistic that should have guaranteed a Wings victory instead became another painful lesson. Holding a team to one made 3-pointer isn’t always enough when everything else slips away.

A controversial call may become tonight’s lasting image, but only because Dallas left the door open.