{"id":441413,"date":"2026-09-19T22:00:09","date_gmt":"2026-09-19T22:00:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/441413\/"},"modified":"2026-09-19T22:00:09","modified_gmt":"2026-09-19T22:00:09","slug":"wings-win-vs-mercury-marks-end-of-an-era-at-college-park-center","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/441413\/","title":{"rendered":"Wings&#8217; win vs. Mercury marks end of an era at College Park Center"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><img alt=\"Dallas Wings guard Paige Bueckers (5) pumps up the crowd after making a 3-pointer while being fouled during the first half of a basketball game against Phoenix Mercury at College Park Center on Saturday, Sept. 19, 2026, in Arlington.\" loading=\"eager\" fetchpriority=\"high\"   style=\"aspect-ratio:3 \/ 2\" class=\"x100 y100 opc bgpc ofcv bgscv block bg-gray200 mnh0px fill\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Dallas Wings guard Paige Bueckers (5) pumps up the crowd after making a 3-pointer while being fouled during the first half of a basketball game against Phoenix Mercury at College Park Center on Saturday, Sept. 19, 2026, in Arlington.<\/p>\n<p>El\u00edas Valverde II\/The Dallas Morning News<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">ARLINGTON \u2014 The\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.dallasnews.com\/sports\/wings\/\" data-link=\"native\" class=\"\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Dallas Wings<\/a> have two more regular season games remaining and a playoff run ahead, but Saturday afternoon at College Park Center marked the end of an era.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn-channels-pixel.ex.co\/events\/0012000001fxZm9AAE?integrationType=DEFAULT&amp;template=design%2Farticle%2Fplatypus_two_column.tpl\" alt=\"\" class=\"x1px y1px vh abs\" aria-hidden=\"true\" width=\"1\" height=\"1\"\/><\/p>\n<p>As the Wings beat the Phoenix Mercury 87-82, they played their 181st and final regular-season home game at the venue located on UT-Arlington\u2019s campus. The franchise, which has partnered with College Park Center since relocating to North Texas ahead of the 2016 WNBA season, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.dallasnews.com\/sports\/wings\/article\/wings-american-airlines-center-2027-season-dallas-22369529.php\" data-link=\"native\" class=\"\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">will play all 2027 home games at American Airlines Center.<\/a><\/p>\n<p>The announcement early last month of the finalized deal with AAC was the latest development in what has been a long effort by the Wings to move downtown from College Park Center, where the team has also practiced since 2016.<\/p>\n<p class=\"uiTextSmall f aic jcc\">Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;To have the City of Arlington backing us \u2013 they were our sixth man,&#8221; star guard Paige Bueckers said postgame. &#8220;They won us plenty of games just being there and being loud and having our back.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>Tributes to Arlington and College Park Center filled the afternoon. The Wings (26\u201316) also took care of business, improving to 2\u20130 in their series against the Mercury, who they will play again Monday in Phoenix. Dallas previously beat the Mercury 85-70 in June.<\/p>\n<p><img alt=\"Dallas Wings guard Arike Ogunbowale hits a bottom to light up Reunion Tower after winning a basketball game against the Phoenix Mercury at College Park Center on Saturday, Sept. 19, 2026, in Arlington.\" loading=\"eager\"   style=\"aspect-ratio:3 \/ 2\" class=\"x100 y100 opc bgpc ofcv bgscv block bg-black mnh0px fill\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Dallas Wings guard Arike Ogunbowale hits a bottom to light up Reunion Tower after winning a basketball game against the Phoenix Mercury at College Park Center on Saturday, Sept. 19, 2026, in Arlington.<\/p>\n<p>El\u00edas Valverde II\/The Dallas Morning News<img alt=\"Dallas Wings guard Paige Bueckers (5) walks off the court following a basketball game against the Phoenix Mercury at College Park Center on Saturday, Sept. 19, 2026, in Arlington.\" loading=\"lazy\"   style=\"aspect-ratio:3 \/ 2\" class=\"x100 y100 opc bgpc ofcv bgscv block bg-black mnh0px fill\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Dallas Wings guard Paige Bueckers (5) walks off the court following a basketball game against the Phoenix Mercury at College Park Center on Saturday, Sept. 19, 2026, in Arlington.<\/p>\n<p>El\u00edas Valverde II\/The Dallas Morning News<img alt=\"Dallas Wings guard Aziaha James (bottom left) films an interview between guard Arike Ogunbowale (24) and host Shaunda Musick after a basketball game against the Phoenix Mercury at College Park Center on Saturday, Sept. 19, 2026, in Arlington.\" loading=\"lazy\"   style=\"aspect-ratio:3 \/ 2\" class=\"x100 y100 opc bgpc ofcv bgscv block bg-black mnh0px fill\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Dallas Wings guard Aziaha James (bottom left) films an interview between guard Arike Ogunbowale (24) and host Shaunda Musick after a basketball game against the Phoenix Mercury at College Park Center on Saturday, Sept. 19, 2026, in Arlington.<\/p>\n<p>El\u00edas Valverde II\/The Dallas Morning News<img alt=\"Dallas Wings guard Paige Bueckers (5) celebrates a bucket by guard Arike Ogunbowale (24) and a foul during the second half of a basketball game against the Phoenix Mercury at College Park Center on Saturday, Sept. 19, 2026, in Arlington.\" loading=\"lazy\"   style=\"aspect-ratio:3 \/ 2\" class=\"x100 y100 opc bgpc ofcv bgscv block bg-black mnh0px fill\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Dallas Wings guard Paige Bueckers (5) celebrates a bucket by guard Arike Ogunbowale (24) and a foul during the second half of a basketball game against the Phoenix Mercury at College Park Center on Saturday, Sept. 19, 2026, in Arlington.<\/p>\n<p>El\u00edas Valverde II\/The Dallas Morning News<img alt=\"Dallas Wings guard Arike Ogunbowale (24) reacts after making a basket while being fouled during the second half of a basketball game against the Phoenix Mercury at College Park Center on Saturday, Sept. 19, 2026, in Arlington.\" loading=\"lazy\"   style=\"aspect-ratio:3 \/ 2\" class=\"x100 y100 opc bgpc ofcv bgscv block bg-black mnh0px fill\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Dallas Wings guard Arike Ogunbowale (24) reacts after making a basket while being fouled during the second half of a basketball game against the Phoenix Mercury at College Park Center on Saturday, Sept. 19, 2026, in Arlington.<\/p>\n<p>El\u00edas Valverde II\/The Dallas Morning News<img alt=\"Dallas Wings guard Arike Ogunbowale (24) reacts after making a shot over Phoenix Mercury forward Alyssa Thomas during the second half of a basketball game at College Park Center on Saturday, Sept. 19, 2026, in Arlington.\" loading=\"lazy\"   style=\"aspect-ratio:3 \/ 2\" class=\"x100 y100 opc bgpc ofcv bgscv block bg-black mnh0px fill\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Dallas Wings guard Arike Ogunbowale (24) reacts after making a shot over Phoenix Mercury forward Alyssa Thomas during the second half of a basketball game at College Park Center on Saturday, Sept. 19, 2026, in Arlington.<\/p>\n<p>El\u00edas Valverde II\/The Dallas Morning News<img alt=\"Dallas Wings guard Paige Bueckers (5) and forward Jessica Shepard (32) block a shot from Phoenix Mercury forward Alyssa Thomas (25) during the second half of a basketball game at College Park Center on Saturday, Sept. 19, 2026, in Arlington.\" loading=\"lazy\"   style=\"aspect-ratio:3 \/ 2\" class=\"x100 y100 opc bgpc ofcv bgscv block bg-black mnh0px fill\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Dallas Wings guard Paige Bueckers (5) and forward Jessica Shepard (32) block a shot from Phoenix Mercury forward Alyssa Thomas (25) during the second half of a basketball game at College Park Center on Saturday, Sept. 19, 2026, in Arlington.<\/p>\n<p>El\u00edas Valverde II\/The Dallas Morning News<img alt=\"Dallas Wings center Li Yueru (28) contests a shot from Phoenix Mercury guard Sami Whitcomb (33) during the second half of a basketball game at College Park Center on Saturday, Sept. 19, 2026, in Arlington.\" loading=\"lazy\"   style=\"aspect-ratio:3 \/ 2\" class=\"x100 y100 opc bgpc ofcv bgscv block bg-black mnh0px fill\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Dallas Wings center Li Yueru (28) contests a shot from Phoenix Mercury guard Sami Whitcomb (33) during the second half of a basketball game at College Park Center on Saturday, Sept. 19, 2026, in Arlington.<\/p>\n<p>El\u00edas Valverde II\/The Dallas Morning News<img alt=\"Dallas Wings guard Paige Bueckers (5) shoots over Phoenix Mercury forward Noemie Brochant (1) during the second half of a basketball game at College Park Center on Saturday, Sept. 19, 2026, in Arlington.\" loading=\"lazy\"   style=\"aspect-ratio:3 \/ 2\" class=\"x100 y100 opc bgpc ofcv bgscv block bg-black mnh0px fill\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Dallas Wings guard Paige Bueckers (5) shoots over Phoenix Mercury forward Noemie Brochant (1) during the second half of a basketball game at College Park Center on Saturday, Sept. 19, 2026, in Arlington.<\/p>\n<p>El\u00edas Valverde II\/The Dallas Morning News<img alt=\"Dallas Wings guard Paige Bueckers (5) celebrates her three-pointer with forward Awak Kuier (34) at the end of the second quarter of a basketball game against the Phoenix Mercury at College Park Center on Saturday, Sept. 19, 2026, in Arlington.\" loading=\"lazy\"   style=\"aspect-ratio:3 \/ 2\" class=\"x100 y100 opc bgpc ofcv bgscv block bg-black mnh0px fill\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Dallas Wings guard Paige Bueckers (5) celebrates her three-pointer with forward Awak Kuier (34) at the end of the second quarter of a basketball game against the Phoenix Mercury at College Park Center on Saturday, Sept. 19, 2026, in Arlington.<\/p>\n<p>El\u00edas Valverde II\/The Dallas Morning News<img alt=\"Dallas Wings guard Paige Bueckers (5) flexes after making a 3-pointer while being fouled as Dallas Wings center Li Yueru (28) reacts during the first half of a basketball game against Phoenix Mercury at College Park Center on Saturday, Sept. 19, 2026, in Arlington.\" loading=\"lazy\"   style=\"aspect-ratio:3 \/ 2\" class=\"x100 y100 opc bgpc ofcv bgscv block bg-black mnh0px fill\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Dallas Wings guard Paige Bueckers (5) flexes after making a 3-pointer while being fouled as Dallas Wings center Li Yueru (28) reacts during the first half of a basketball game against Phoenix Mercury at College Park Center on Saturday, Sept. 19, 2026, in Arlington.<\/p>\n<p>El\u00edas Valverde II\/The Dallas Morning News<img alt=\"Dallas Wings guard Paige Bueckers (5) reacts after making a 3-pointer while being fouled as Dallas Wings center Li Yueru (28) reacts during the first half of a basketball game against Phoenix Mercury at College Park Center on Saturday, Sept. 19, 2026, in Arlington.\" loading=\"lazy\"   style=\"aspect-ratio:3 \/ 2\" class=\"x100 y100 opc bgpc ofcv bgscv block bg-black mnh0px fill\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Dallas Wings guard Paige Bueckers (5) reacts after making a 3-pointer while being fouled as Dallas Wings center Li Yueru (28) reacts during the first half of a basketball game against Phoenix Mercury at College Park Center on Saturday, Sept. 19, 2026, in Arlington.<\/p>\n<p>El\u00edas Valverde II\/The Dallas Morning News<img alt=\"Dallas Wings guard Paige Bueckers (5) makes a 3-pointer as she\u2019s fouled by Phoenix Mercury forward Noemie Brochant (left) during the first half of a basketball game at College Park Center on Saturday, Sept. 19, 2026, in Arlington.\" loading=\"lazy\"   style=\"aspect-ratio:3 \/ 2\" class=\"x100 y100 opc bgpc ofcv bgscv block bg-black mnh0px fill\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Dallas Wings guard Paige Bueckers (5) makes a 3-pointer as she\u2019s fouled by Phoenix Mercury forward Noemie Brochant (left) during the first half of a basketball game at College Park Center on Saturday, Sept. 19, 2026, in Arlington.<\/p>\n<p>El\u00edas Valverde II\/The Dallas Morning News<img alt=\"Dallas Wings guard Arike Ogunbowale (24) drives past Phoenix Mercury guard Sami Whitcomb (33) during the first half of a basketball game at College Park Center on Saturday, Sept. 19, 2026, in Arlington.\" loading=\"lazy\"   style=\"aspect-ratio:3 \/ 2\" class=\"x100 y100 opc bgpc ofcv bgscv block bg-black mnh0px fill\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Dallas Wings guard Arike Ogunbowale (24) drives past Phoenix Mercury guard Sami Whitcomb (33) during the first half of a basketball game at College Park Center on Saturday, Sept. 19, 2026, in Arlington.<\/p>\n<p>El\u00edas Valverde II\/The Dallas Morning News<img alt=\"Dallas Wings forward Jessica Shepard (32) passes the ball over Phoenix Mercury forward Alyssa Thomas (25) during the first half of a basketball game at College Park Center on Saturday, Sept. 19, 2026, in Arlington.\" loading=\"lazy\"   style=\"aspect-ratio:3 \/ 2\" class=\"x100 y100 opc bgpc ofcv bgscv block bg-black mnh0px fill\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Dallas Wings forward Jessica Shepard (32) passes the ball over Phoenix Mercury forward Alyssa Thomas (25) during the first half of a basketball game at College Park Center on Saturday, Sept. 19, 2026, in Arlington.<\/p>\n<p>El\u00edas Valverde II\/The Dallas Morning News<img alt=\"A Dallas Wings fan raises a towel after a three-pointer by guard Paige Bueckers (5) during the first half of a basketball game against the Phoenix Mercury at College Park Center on Saturday, Sept. 19, 2026, in Arlington.\" loading=\"lazy\"   style=\"aspect-ratio:3 \/ 2\" class=\"x100 y100 opc bgpc ofcv bgscv block bg-black mnh0px fill\"\/><\/p>\n<p>A Dallas Wings fan raises a towel after a three-pointer by guard Paige Bueckers (5) during the first half of a basketball game against the Phoenix Mercury at College Park Center on Saturday, Sept. 19, 2026, in Arlington.<\/p>\n<p>El\u00edas Valverde II\/The Dallas Morning News<img alt=\"Dallas Wings forward Awak Kuier (34) shoots over Phoenix Mercury forward Marta Suarez (77) during the first half of a basketball game at College Park Center on Saturday, Sept. 19, 2026, in Arlington.\" loading=\"lazy\"   style=\"aspect-ratio:3 \/ 2\" class=\"x100 y100 opc bgpc ofcv bgscv block bg-black mnh0px fill\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Dallas Wings forward Awak Kuier (34) shoots over Phoenix Mercury forward Marta Suarez (77) during the first half of a basketball game at College Park Center on Saturday, Sept. 19, 2026, in Arlington.<\/p>\n<p>El\u00edas Valverde II\/The Dallas Morning News<img alt=\"Dallas Wings forward Alysha Clark (32) drives to the basket against Phoenix Mercury forward Marta Suarez (77) during the first half of a basketball game at College Park Center on Saturday, Sept. 19, 2026, in Arlington.\" loading=\"lazy\"   style=\"aspect-ratio:3 \/ 2\" class=\"x100 y100 opc bgpc ofcv bgscv block bg-black mnh0px fill\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Dallas Wings forward Alysha Clark (32) drives to the basket against Phoenix Mercury forward Marta Suarez (77) during the first half of a basketball game at College Park Center on Saturday, Sept. 19, 2026, in Arlington.<\/p>\n<p>El\u00edas Valverde II\/The Dallas Morning News<img alt=\"Dallas Wings forward Maddy Siegrist (20) drives to the basket as Phoenix Mercury forward Maddy Westbeld (21) defends during the first half of a basketball game at College Park Center on Saturday, Sept. 19, 2026, in Arlington.\" loading=\"lazy\"   style=\"aspect-ratio:3 \/ 2\" class=\"x100 y100 opc bgpc ofcv bgscv block bg-black mnh0px fill\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Dallas Wings forward Maddy Siegrist (20) drives to the basket as Phoenix Mercury forward Maddy Westbeld (21) defends during the first half of a basketball game at College Park Center on Saturday, Sept. 19, 2026, in Arlington.<\/p>\n<p>El\u00edas Valverde II\/The Dallas Morning News<img alt=\"Dallas Wings guard Paige Bueckers (5) talks with an official after she was called for a foul during the first half of a basketball game against the Phoenix Mercury at College Park Center on Saturday, Sept. 19, 2026, in Arlington.\" loading=\"lazy\"   style=\"aspect-ratio:3 \/ 2\" class=\"x100 y100 opc bgpc ofcv bgscv block bg-black mnh0px fill\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Dallas Wings guard Paige Bueckers (5) talks with an official after she was called for a foul during the first half of a basketball game against the Phoenix Mercury at College Park Center on Saturday, Sept. 19, 2026, in Arlington.<\/p>\n<p>El\u00edas Valverde II\/The Dallas Morning News<img alt=\"Dallas Wings fans celebrate a three-pointer by forward Awak Kuier (34) during the first half of a basketball game against the Phoenix Mercury at College Park Center on Saturday, Sept. 19, 2026, in Arlington.\" loading=\"lazy\"   style=\"aspect-ratio:3 \/ 2\" class=\"x100 y100 opc bgpc ofcv bgscv block bg-black mnh0px fill\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Dallas Wings fans celebrate a three-pointer by forward Awak Kuier (34) during the first half of a basketball game against the Phoenix Mercury at College Park Center on Saturday, Sept. 19, 2026, in Arlington.<\/p>\n<p>El\u00edas Valverde II\/The Dallas Morning News<img alt=\"Dallas Wings guard Kitija Laksa (33) drives past Phoenix Mercury forward Noemie Brochant (1) during the first half of a basketball game at College Park Center on Saturday, Sept. 19, 2026, in Arlington.\" loading=\"lazy\"   style=\"aspect-ratio:3 \/ 2\" class=\"x100 y100 opc bgpc ofcv bgscv block bg-black mnh0px fill\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Dallas Wings guard Kitija Laksa (33) drives past Phoenix Mercury forward Noemie Brochant (1) during the first half of a basketball game at College Park Center on Saturday, Sept. 19, 2026, in Arlington.<\/p>\n<p>El\u00edas Valverde II\/The Dallas Morning News<img alt=\"Dallas Wings forward Awak Kuier (34) makes a three-point shot during the first half of a basketball game against the Phoenix Mercury at College Park Center on Saturday, Sept. 19, 2026, in Arlington.\" loading=\"lazy\"   style=\"aspect-ratio:3 \/ 2\" class=\"x100 y100 opc bgpc ofcv bgscv block bg-black mnh0px fill\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Dallas Wings forward Awak Kuier (34) makes a three-point shot during the first half of a basketball game against the Phoenix Mercury at College Park Center on Saturday, Sept. 19, 2026, in Arlington.<\/p>\n<p>El\u00edas Valverde II\/The Dallas Morning News<img alt=\"Dallas Wings center Li Yueru (28) and guard Paige Bueckers (5) help guard Aziaha James (10) to her feet during the first half of a basketball game against Phoenix Mercury at College Park Center on Saturday, Sept. 19, 2026, in Arlington.\" loading=\"lazy\"   style=\"aspect-ratio:3 \/ 2\" class=\"x100 y100 opc bgpc ofcv bgscv block bg-black mnh0px fill\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Dallas Wings center Li Yueru (28) and guard Paige Bueckers (5) help guard Aziaha James (10) to her feet during the first half of a basketball game against Phoenix Mercury at College Park Center on Saturday, Sept. 19, 2026, in Arlington.<\/p>\n<p>El\u00edas Valverde II\/The Dallas Morning News<img alt=\"Dallas Wings guard Aziaha James (10) shoots over Phoenix Mercury guard Kara Dunn (12) during the first half of a basketball game at College Park Center on Saturday, Sept. 19, 2026, in Arlington.\" loading=\"lazy\"   style=\"aspect-ratio:3 \/ 2\" class=\"x100 y100 opc bgpc ofcv bgscv block bg-black mnh0px fill\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Dallas Wings guard Aziaha James (10) shoots over Phoenix Mercury guard Kara Dunn (12) during the first half of a basketball game at College Park Center on Saturday, Sept. 19, 2026, in Arlington.<\/p>\n<p>El\u00edas Valverde II\/The Dallas Morning News<img alt=\"Dallas Wings guard Paige Bueckers (5) shoots over Phoenix Mercury guard Sami Whitcomb (33) during the first half of a basketball game at College Park Center on Saturday, Sept. 19, 2026, in Arlington.\" loading=\"lazy\"   style=\"aspect-ratio:3 \/ 2\" class=\"x100 y100 opc bgpc ofcv bgscv block bg-black mnh0px fill\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Dallas Wings guard Paige Bueckers (5) shoots over Phoenix Mercury guard Sami Whitcomb (33) during the first half of a basketball game at College Park Center on Saturday, Sept. 19, 2026, in Arlington.<\/p>\n<p>El\u00edas Valverde II\/The Dallas Morning News<img alt=\"Dallas Wings head coach Jose Fernandez talks to his team during the first half of a basketball game against the Phoenix Mercury at College Park Center on Saturday, Sept. 19, 2026, in Arlington.\" loading=\"lazy\"   style=\"aspect-ratio:3 \/ 2\" class=\"x100 y100 opc bgpc ofcv bgscv block bg-black mnh0px fill\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Dallas Wings head coach Jose Fernandez talks to his team during the first half of a basketball game against the Phoenix Mercury at College Park Center on Saturday, Sept. 19, 2026, in Arlington.<\/p>\n<p>El\u00edas Valverde II\/The Dallas Morning News<img alt=\"Dallas Wings forward Awak Kuier (34) and Phoenix Mercury forward Natasha Mack (4) reach for the opening tip during the first half of a basketball game at College Park Center on Saturday, Sept. 19, 2026, in Arlington.\" loading=\"lazy\"   style=\"aspect-ratio:3 \/ 2\" class=\"x100 y100 opc bgpc ofcv bgscv block bg-black mnh0px fill\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Dallas Wings forward Awak Kuier (34) and Phoenix Mercury forward Natasha Mack (4) reach for the opening tip during the first half of a basketball game at College Park Center on Saturday, Sept. 19, 2026, in Arlington.<\/p>\n<p>El\u00edas Valverde II\/The Dallas Morning News<img alt=\"Dallas Wings guard Azzi Fudd (left) and forward Alanna Smith thank fans for their support this season before the final regular season home game at College Park Center on Saturday, Sept. 19, 2026, in Arlington.\" loading=\"lazy\"   style=\"aspect-ratio:3 \/ 2\" class=\"x100 y100 opc bgpc ofcv bgscv block bg-black mnh0px fill\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Dallas Wings guard Azzi Fudd (left) and forward Alanna Smith thank fans for their support this season before the final regular season home game at College Park Center on Saturday, Sept. 19, 2026, in Arlington.<\/p>\n<p>El\u00edas Valverde II\/The Dallas Morning News<img alt=\"Dallas Wings guard Azzi Fudd (left) and forward Alanna Smith thank fans for their support this season before the final regular season home game at College Park Center on Saturday, Sept. 19, 2026, in Arlington.\" loading=\"lazy\"   style=\"aspect-ratio:3 \/ 2\" class=\"x100 y100 opc bgpc ofcv bgscv block bg-black mnh0px fill\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Dallas Wings guard Azzi Fudd (left) and forward Alanna Smith thank fans for their support this season before the final regular season home game at College Park Center on Saturday, Sept. 19, 2026, in Arlington.<\/p>\n<p>El\u00edas Valverde II\/The Dallas Morning News<\/p>\n<p>Dallas won its sixth straight game and improved to 16-6 at home behind a standout performance from <a href=\"https:\/\/www.dallasnews.com\/topic\/paige-bueckers\/\" data-link=\"native\" class=\"\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\"> Bueckers<\/a>. The second-year phenom scored a game-high 26 points on 10-of-19 shooting. She was 5-of-9 from the 3-point line and recorded four rebounds, five assists, three steals and a block.<\/p>\n<p>She scored 20 points in the first half, capped by a 3 with a second left on the clock. It was the guard\u2019s 24th 20-point game of the year \u2014 fourth most in the WNBA this season.<\/p>\n<p class=\"uiTextSmall f aic jcc\">Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n<p>Wings coach Jose Fernandez said postgame Bueckers is &#8220;more than deserving&#8221; for MVP and All-WNBA first team consideration.<\/p>\n<p>Bueckers went 3-of-4 from beyond the arc in the second quarter, marking the third time this season she has made three or more 3s in a quarter. It was also a big second quarter for the team, which scored 37 points \u2014 the highest-scoring quarter in Wings history.<\/p>\n<p>Dallas, which led Phoenix 56-49 at halftime, did not have as productive a second half, in part due to defensive lapses. Phoenix outscored the Wings 33-31 in the third and fourth quarters and even came within one late in the game. Big shots from\u00a0Bueckers and veteran guard Arike Ogunbowale held off that rally.<\/p>\n<p>Ogunbowale scored 22 points on 8-of-14 shooting. She also recorded two rebounds, six assists, a steal and a block.<\/p>\n<p>Dallas, which entered Saturday\u2019s contest in eighth place, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.dallasnews.com\/sports\/wings\/article\/dallas-wings-clinch-wnba-playoffs-portland-fire-22403776.php\" data-link=\"native\" class=\"\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">clinched the WNBA\u2019s final playoff spot late last month<\/a>, but it still has the opportunity to improve its seeding with two games left in the regular season. The goal is to win out.<\/p>\n<p class=\"uiTextSmall f aic jcc\">Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;I think they know the importance of these final two games,&#8221; Fernandez said.<\/p>\n<p>The fourth-place Atlanta Dream and the fifth-place Indiana Fever are only one game ahead of Dallas. The New York Liberty, which the Wings won their series against, and the Washington Mystics, which won its series against Dallas, are both 25-16 and play their next games on Sunday.<\/p>\n<p>While players are aware their seeding can improve, 26 wins and counting after a 10-34 finish in 2025 might be more top of mind.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;The fans have stuck with us through good seasons, bad seasons \u2013 more bad seasons than good seasons,&#8221; Ogunbowale said. &#8220;Glad that it&#8217;s finally turned around and they have something to come and cheer for.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p class=\"uiTextSmall f aic jcc\">Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Dallas Wings guard Paige Bueckers (5) pumps up the crowd after making a 3-pointer while being fouled during&hellip;\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":441414,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[13],"tags":[150,152,151,732,88877,89478],"class_list":["post-441413","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-arlington","tag-arlington","tag-arlington-headlines","tag-arlington-news","tag-article","tag-tp-dallas-wings","tag-tp-paige-bueckers"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/441413","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=441413"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/441413\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/441414"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=441413"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=441413"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=441413"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}