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 Faculty Park Heart ·Odyssey Sims (2) Have fun collectively. Obligatory 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 completely 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 scrambling to get out of the league’s means.
Each groups might be searching for a lift from new gamers. The Suns traded guard Marina Mabray to Chicago earlier than halftime, and Dallas lastly moved ahead with German nationwide group member Satou Sabally within the lineup. A shoulder damage saved her out for the primary half of the season.
The Suns (18-6), who’ve 16 video games left to play, journey to Texas after shedding two of their final three video games earlier than halftime, together with an 82-game win on July 16. -74 loss to New York.
Devana Bonner leads Connecticut in factors (16.7 factors) and blocks (0.6) per recreation, whereas Alyssa Thomas leads the way in which in rebounds (9.2), assists (7.6) and steals (1.5) . 5 Connecticut scorers averaged double figures.
Coupled with Mabray, who averaged 14 factors per recreation 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 mentioned. “I am right here to win a championship and assist this group get to the place they have been working towards. I do know I am right here too late, however higher late than by no means, you realize.”
In the meantime, Dallas (6-19) is tied for final within the standings with Washington with 15 video games remaining and hopes Sabally may also help get the group 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 beneath the playoff line.
Dallas head coach Latricia Trammell mentioned Sabally regarded “actually good” throughout Monday’s apply.
“I imply, she simply acquired again from Paris and was a little bit bit jet-lagged, so she was practising once in a while,” Trammell defined. “Clearly, her influence 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 received 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. Heart Teaira McCowan averaged 7.3 rebounds and 1.0 blocks per recreation.
Connecticut received its first two video games towards the Wings this yr, successful 74-72 at house on Might 31 and 85-67 on June 15 in Arlington.
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