ARLINGTON, TX- The Dallas Wings showed their dominance on the floor and clinched the 4th seed in the WNBA playoffs.
Natasha Howard led with 22 points, 9 rebounds and 4 assist.
The Dallas Wings showed great ball movement to open the game against the Seattle Storm and overpowered the Storm’s defense.
Dallas had 21 total rebounds, fifteen defensive and six offensive rebounds, in the first half.
The Wings also found success under the rim, despite traffic from Ezi Magbegor and Mercedes Russell.
Teaira McCowan and Kalani Brown crashed the boards and converting second-chance points, combining for 16.
Dallas’ defense held Seattle’s Jewell Loyd to an unusual 6-19 from the field. Seattle struggled to make shots and with only 5 defensive rebounds, they allowed Dallas to go on a 9-0 run until 2:46 in the second quarter.
Awak Kuier was called for a shooting foul on Seattle’s Magbegor, who went 2-2 from the line followed by two consecutive 3-pointers by Jewell Loyd.
The Wings went into the half with an 11-point, 56-45, lead.
The second half was a much more physical game and Seattle was able to come up with an offensive groove. The Wings got into foul trouble and Seattle was unable to capitalize on it.
The Wings continued to feed the ball under the net, making layups in heavy traffic. Dallas pulled away, with a 15-point lead.
Head Coach Latricia Trammell was brought to tears when talking about the way the Wings have maintained and bought into a culture they set back in May.
” I am so proud of this team,” said Trammell. “When you see people go through their different journeys and the different teams. Coming in and just buying in. The connection and the will to win. I am really happy for them.”
UP NEXT: The Dallas Wings will host the first game of 2023 WNBA playoffs on Friday at 8:30 p.m. Their opponent is still unannounced.
