The Wings weren’t at their best on Saturday, but they were better than the Storm, and that’s all they needed

The Dallas Wings improved to 6-4 on the 2022 WNBA season, defeating the Seattle Storm (5-4) 68-51 in a Commissioner’s Cup contest. It was the Wings’ first win since Could 24; Dallas had dropped its final two video games, and although its victory over the Storm might have been extra aesthetically pleasing, it counts all the identical for a crew in the midst of a grueling street journey.

Whereas Dallas didn’t report its finest offensive efficiency — the Wings shot 39.4 p.c subject (9-of-27 on 3-pointers), tried solely 11 free throws and turned the ball over 17 occasions — it was capable of hold Seattle at bay for the overwhelming majority of the sport, taking a first-quarter lead and by no means relinquishing it. A brand new-look beginning lineup together with Satou Sabally at heart carried out admirably towards Seattle’s massive and gifted entrance line, with Sabally recording 11 factors, 11 rebounds and 6 assists alongside workhorse ahead Kayla Thornton, who mixed with Sabally to complete six of the Wings’ 11 offensive rebounds.

As for the remainder of the Wings, it was largely enterprise as normal. Though Marina Mabrey (5 factors; 2-of-8 taking pictures) didn’t have her strongest offensive outing, the slack was picked up by Arike Ogunbowale (16 factors) and Allisha Grey (18 factors). Grey’s offense was notably environment friendly (7-of-11 taking pictures), and she or he additionally contributed seven rebounds and two steals.

The most important story of the sport, nonetheless, was on Seattle’s finish, and never in a great way. The Storm’s 51 factors have been the second-lowest complete scored in a sport by any WNBA crew this season — solely New York (50 factors on Could 11) and Atlanta (50 factors on Could 24) have been worse on offense up to now in 2022 — they usually missed 24 of the 29 3-pointers they tried. Solely Breanna Stewart, who asserted herself as one of the best participant on the ground with 27 factors, eight rebounds, three steals and 4 blocked photographs, stood out; Storm taking pictures guard Jewell Loyd struggled, making 5-of-16 photographs from the sector, whereas none of Briann January, Epiphanny Prince nor Kiana Williams (three complete factors) have been notably efficient operating the purpose rather than Sue Hen (well being and security protocols).

If there’s a technique to succinctly summarize the sport, it’s by way of Seattle’s shot chart, which, for sure, isn’t flattering:

To the Wings’ credit score, they rebounded Seattle’s multitude of misses nicely, finally successful the rebounding battle 42-31. The Wings additionally turned the Storm over 16 occasions and performed disciplined protection, fouling solely 14 occasions and yielding eight Seattle free-throw makes an attempt. It could look like faint reward, however benefiting from off nights from opponents is one thing all good groups should be capable of do, and although Saturday’s win over Seattle might not have been probably the most spectacular for the Wings, it was certainly one in all their gutsiest.

Trying forward

The Wings will conclude their five-game street journey this Sunday, June 5 towards the WNBA’s No. 1 crew, the Las Vegas Aces (9-2). They’ll then play seven of their subsequent eight video games at house, which embody rematches towards the Storm (June 10) and Aces (June 15). Final season, the Wings went 7-9 each on the street and at house, although they really outscored opponents by 2.3 factors per 100 possessions on the street, in comparison with a minus-3.9 web score at house. We’ll see if Dallas can use its upcoming homestand to its benefit this time round.