Dallas

Wings

Bueckers’ streak of games with at least 20 points scored ended at three on Wednesday, but Dallas getting its third win in four outings was of greater importance. After recording one 20-point game in May, the rookie guard has four since returning from a concussion on June 11. Bueckers’ on-court chemistry with Arike Ogunbowale appears to improve by the team, factoring into Dallas’ improved play as a team. Next up for Paige will be her game against Caitlin Clark, since entering the WNBA, when the Wings host the Fever on Friday.

Li made her first start since being traded to Dallas, and Tuesday’s effort may keep her in that role for the foreseeable future. The 15 rebounds were a career-high for the 6-foot-7 center, who recorded her second double-double. While Li did not provide any defensive statistics, her presence was a key factor in why Dallas held Atlanta to 23.4 percent shooting from the field. NaLyssa Smith (four points, four rebounds, one steal and three blocks) was effective defensively, while Myisha Hines-Allen (8/4/1/1) hit two three-pointers off the bench. Wings coach Chris Koclanes will have some choices to make once Luisa Geiselsöder and Teaira McCowan return from EuroBasket, but it’s going to be difficult for him to decrease Li’s playing time.

Having scored at least nine points in three straight games, Charles made her second start of the season on Tuesday. Unfortunately, the offensive production was similar to the prior start, a scoreless effort in Dallas’ June 8 loss to the Lynx. However, while Charles did not score on Tuesday, she was productive as a rebounder and defender, as the Wings limited Atlanta to 23.4 percent shooting. Aziaha James, who was moved to the bench, picked up the slack offensively, finishing with 11 points, four rebounds, one assist and two blocked shots in 24 minutes. While neither player has done enough to merit being rostered in most fantasy leagues, James offers the higher ceiling of the two.

After scoring 27 points in Sunday’s loss to the Mystics, Ogunbowale recorded her second consecutive 20-point game. That’s something the scoring guard had not accomplished yet this season, and Arike appears to be on the right track after a slow start to the season. She’s scored at least 19 points in five of her last seven outings. More importantly, the Wings have won three of their last four games after losing 11 of 12 to begin the season. Ogunbowale and the Wings will face another challenge on Friday when they host the Fever.

The Wings have made two changes to their starting lineup for Tuesday’s game. Charles steps in for rookie Aziaha James, who started Dallas’ last three games. The other change is Li replacing Myisha Hines-Allen, with the former Seattle center having played well since being acquired via trade on June 14. While this won’t be an easy matchup for Li, moving to Dallas has given her the opportunity that she desired before the trade.

Carrington will miss a second straight game with a rib injury, leaving the Wings down a contributor on the perimeter. Rookie Aziaha James replaced Carrington in the starting lineup before the injury, so nothing will change there. More minutes are available to Kaila Charles, but James would be the player worth considering in deeper fantasy leagues.

Smith has started Dallas’ last three games, and she’s made the most of her return to the starting lineup. On Sunday, she was more impactful defensively, grabbing nine rebounds and recording a season-high four blocked shots. That production was likely why Smith logged a season-high 32 minutes on Sunday, especially with fellow starter Myisha Hines-Allen going scoreless with one rebound, three assists and one steal in 22 minutes. Smith is not a player worth adding in shallow fantasy leagues yet, but her recent play makes the Wings forward a player worth tracking.

Ogunbowale had an opportunity to force a second overtime on Sunday, but her three-point attempt with nine seconds remaining in overtime was long. Paige Bueckers’ ensuing effort was short, resulting in Dallas’ win streak ending at two. Ogunbowale’s offensive production has been inconsistent thus far, with the veteran guard’s efficiency being an issue far more often than she or the Wings would hope. A career 39 percent shooter, Arike is shooting a career-low 35.1 percent from the field this season. While field goal percentage is not a scoring category in standard ESPN fantasy leagues, managers certainly hope Ogunbowale can clean some things up sooner rather than later.

Bueckers hit one of the game’s biggest shots, as her three-pointer with 11.1 seconds remaining in regulation forced overtime. Unfortunately for Dallas, they were unable to extend their win streak to three games, as Washington scored the final seven points of the extra period. Bueckers did not have her best day shooting the basketball, but she still recorded a complete stat line. She’s now scored at least 20 points in three straight and four of five games since returning from a concussion.

Initially probable for Sunday’s game, Carrington is on the Wings’ inactive list. Her absence will not impact the starting lineup, as rookie Aziaha James was already ahead of Carrington in the pecking order. What it will likely do is free up additional playing time for Kaila Charles, who played 14 minutes off the bench in Friday’s win over Connecticut.