Wings Rally, Can't Close Late Against Fever

Paige Bueckers leads Dallas with 27 points Friday night, as the Wings lose to the Indiana Fever. (© 2025 Miss Ari Photography)

Dallas - Before a crowd of more than 20,000, the Dallas Wings (4-13) rallied in an exciting matchup against the Indiana Fever (8-8) Friday night. The Fever, without Catlin Clark in the lineup completed the win 94-86. 

Paige Bueckers led Dallas in scoring with 27 points, shooting nine of 18 from the field. The Rookie of the Year candidate also led all players with 36 minutes played in this game. Despite trailing by 20 points in the first quarter, Bueckers was poised to lead her team in a comeback before a sold out American Airlines crowd. She did not disappoint. Despite a less than impressive first half, Dallas only trailed by 13 entering the half, thanks in part to a walk off three point shot by Bueckers. 

“It just makes you excited for the future and what it can look like if we keep investing in women's sports,” Bueckers shared when asked about the American Airlines Center crowd.

Dallas played Friday night without defensive powerhouse Dijonai Carrington, who missed her second straight game with a rib injury. Arike Ogunbowale and Aziah James joined Bueckers in scoring double figures for the Wings with 15 and 14 points respectively, however, it just wasn't enough to overcome the scoring onslaught by Indiana. 

“We have a lot of fight in us,” Ogunbowale said. “We're still growing and figuring out each other's tendencies.”

The Fever have struggled in recent games, but had no shortage of offense on Friday. Kelsey Mitchell led all scorers with 32 points. Aliyah Boston added 21 points. In her return to Dallas, Natasha Howard contributed 15 points and 13 rebounds. 

“Leads did slip away in this game,” Boston acknowledged post game. “It's a game of runs and we just have to make sure we have the best run at the end.”

While Wings were away from College Park Center, this was still a home game for Dallas. There were, however, several Indiana Fever fans in the building. Large crowds and traveling fans have become the norm for Indiana since the arrival of Clark. “Every game feels like a home game,” Boston says. “People may come to see one player, but leave liking other players.”

Indiana will play at Minnesota on Tuesday, while Dallas has a quick turnaround against the Washington Mystics at home on Saturday.