They say “What happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas” and for the Dallas Wings they hoped that would be the case as they returned home Friday night with their backs against the wall.
No team has ever come back down 0-2 in a best of five WNBA series but the Wings would need to be the first if they want to advance to their first ever WNBA finals.
After a late first quarter push, the Wings led 18-16 after the opening frame. Dallas had all the momentum heading into the second.
When halftime rolled around the Wings led a low scoring battle by a score of 36-31. The two teams turned the ball over a combined 19 times but it was Dallas who out rebounded the Aces 23-15 to climb out in front at the break.
Dallas shot just 38% from the field at the half but held Vegas to just 41%.
After the 3rd quarter this game was officially really wacky. The Wings lead 51-49 in a low scoring defensive battle.
Dallas shot just 35% from the field and 30% from beyond the arc. However, they were able to hold the Aces to just 40% from the field and held superstar A’ja Wilson to just eight points after three.
With 7:39 left in the game, Dallas had all the momentum and a 55-51 lead. Teaira McCowan blocked A’ja Wilson on a drive and the College Park Center exploded.
Dallas led 61-53 with 4:59 to go and just when it looked like things were going to fall in the Wings’ favor, it all went downhill.
Not a single point was scored by the Wings from Arike Ogunbowale layup with 4:59 left until the final buzzer and a Wings offense that struggled all night cost Dallas their season.
The Wings fell 64-61 to be swept by the Aces and end their season. For Las Vegas, they are headed back to the WNBA finals for the second year in a row where they will look to repeat as champions.
As for Dallas, the 2023 WNBA season is officially over. The future of Dallas Wings basketball is most certainly bright but for now this loss stings.
Wings Head Coach Latricia Tramell said “I’m really proud of this team and what they accomplished, before the season we wernt even supposed to make the playoffs; I’d go to battle with this team any day.
