The Dallas Wings delivered a notable upset on Monday night, defeating the New York Liberty 92-82 at College Park Center in Arlington, Texas. The victory marked a significant moment for the Wings, who improved their season record to 8-19, while the New York Liberty, playing without their reigning MVP Breanna Stewart, dropped to 17-8.
The game, broadcast nationally on ESPN, saw the Wings take control early, leading 31-19 after the first quarter and maintaining a strong offensive rhythm throughout. Dallas showcased a balanced attack, with rookie sensation Paige Bueckers and All-Star guard Arike Ogunbowale leading the charge, both tallying 20 points. Bueckers also contributed 6 rebounds and 4 assists, while Ogunbowale dished out an impressive 14 assists, demonstrating the Wings’ collaborative effort. Luisa Geiselsoder added 14 points for Dallas, and Haley Jones, who had scored in double figures for four straight games leading up to this matchup, contributed 8 points and 3 rebounds (ESPN Box Score, Dallas Wings Game Preview).
For the New York Liberty, Jonquel Jones led the team with 18 points and 7 rebounds, while Sabrina Ionescu added 17 points and 5 assists. Stephanie Talbot also contributed 10 points and 6 rebounds. Despite their efforts, the Liberty struggled to overcome the absence of Breanna Stewart and the Wings’ assertive play, particularly in rebounding (Dallas 39, New York 33) and points off turnovers (Dallas 24, New York 9) (ESPN Box Score, Fox Sports Box Score).
Breanna Stewart’s absence was a major storyline heading into the matchup. The Liberty star forward was ruled out due to a leg injury sustained during Saturday’s 101-99 loss to the Los Angeles Sparks. Stewart left that game less than 3½ minutes in after appearing to injure her leg while running up the court. Initial imaging revealed nothing major, and she is expected to travel with the team on their four-game road trip, with a potential return as early as July 30 (ESPN). Stewart has been a pivotal force for the Liberty this season, averaging 18.3 points, 6.5 rebounds, and 3.9 assists (ESPN).
The victory is particularly sweet for the Dallas Wings, who are navigating a demanding schedule of four home games in six days, part of a larger stretch of six games in 11 days. The team’s resilience was evident, especially after a recent 106-80 loss to the Las Vegas Aces on Sunday. Paige Bueckers continues to impress in her rookie campaign, being the only player in the WNBA to rank in the top 10 for scoring (9th, 18.1 ppg), assists (8th, 5.6), and steals (4th, 1.8). Her 36 steals in 20 games put her just two away from cracking the Wings’ rookie top 10 list for steals in a season (Dallas Wings Game Preview). Fellow rookie JJ Quinerly, a 27th overall pick in the 2025 draft, is also making her mark, currently averaging 7.0 points per game, positioning her to become one of the few third-round selections since 2000 to average at least five points in their rookie season (Dallas Wings Game Preview).
This game marked the first of three scheduled meetings between the Liberty and the Wings this season. The Liberty swept the 2024 series 4-0, but Dallas holds a narrow 46-45 lead in the all-time series (Dallas Wings Game Preview). The next encounter is set for August 5 in Brooklyn.
With this win, the Dallas Wings move to 8-19, placing them 7th in the Western Conference standings. The New York Liberty, despite the loss, remain at the top of the Eastern Conference with a 17-8 record (ESPN Standings). The outcome underscores the competitive nature of the WNBA, where even top teams can face challenges, especially when key players are sidelined.
