Dallas Wings center Li Yueru, left, attempts to shoot the ball while Las Vegas Aces center Megan Gustafson attempts to block the ball during a game July 27 at College Park Center. Yueru scored four points.
The Dallas Wings (7-19) suffered a crushing 106-80 defeat to the Las Vegas Aces (13-13) Sunday at College Park Center.
This game drew the attention of the retired Olympic gold medalist Usain Bolt. The crowd erupted as he appeared on the big screen.
The Dallas Wings bench cheers during a game against the Las Vegas Aces on July 27 at College Park Center. The Wings lost 106-80.
Dallas Wings guard Haley Jones attempts a layup during a game against the Las Vegas Aces on July 27 at College Park Center. Jones scored 15 points.
Coming off a narrow 86-76 loss to the Golden State Valkyries, the Wings returned home in hopes of adding an eighth win to the season.
However, after its loss to the Valkyries, Wings rookie guard Paige Bueckers was the first player in WNBA history to record over 350 career points and over 100 career assists in the first 20 games.
Coming into this game, the Wings were without two of their key players: Bueckers, who was out on rest, and forward Myisha Hines-Allen, one of the more experienced players on the team. Forward Maddy Siegrist also remained out of play due to a knee injury suffered earlier in the season.
The Wings started slow as the Aces took a 9-2 lead over them early in the first quarter. With the help of Wings guard JJ Quinerly, the team ended the first stretch tied 27-27.
For the Aces, guard Jackie Young took over the first quarter, scoring 14 points, went 4-5 on 3-pointers and had a dominant half against the Wings’ defense.
Dallas Wings guard DiJonai Carrington talks to a referee during a game against the Las Vegas Aces on July 27 at College Park Center. Carrington had four rebounds.
Early in the second quarter, the Wings took a 31-29 lead over the Aces, but was short-lived with costly turnovers and fouls. The team attempted to pull back ahead, but the Wings were down by 12 points at the end of the half.
The Wings struggled to find their rhythm in the third quarter, missing key shots which allowed the Aces to surge ahead and build a commanding lead.
“They got way too many 50/50 balls tonight compared to what we did,” Wings guard Haley Jones said. “So, I think that we can just learn from them. They’re a championship team.”
Las Vegas Aces forward NaLyssa Smith and Dallas Wings guard DiJonai Carrington hug during a game July 27 at College Park Center. Carrington scored 14 points.
Aces forward Kierstan Bell, Young and guard Jewell Loyd were on fire. The trio recorded 63 points for the team and finished with a combined 20-33 from the field.
The bench was where the Wings clicked, as center Teaira McCowan and Jones put on a dominant performance. Jones finished the game with more than 10 points and McCowan finished the game with a season high in points and rebounds.
Dallas Wings rookie guard Paige Bueckers signals to run back the play during a game against the Las Vegas Aces on July 27 at College Park Center. Bueckers was ruled out of the game to rest
“I’m pretty proud of myself, I mean, it’s what I do,” McCowan said. “It’s what I’ve been doing my whole entire career, so I just went out there and showcased it today.”
Trailing 73-58 entering the fourth quarter, the Wings attempted a comeback but ultimately fell short.
The Wings return with a back-to-back home game set to play the New York Liberty at 7 p.m. Monday at College Park Center. The game will be available to stream on ESPN.
Olympic gold medalist Usain Bolt and Las Vegas Aces center A’ja Wilson hug after a game against the Dallas Wings on July 27 at College Park Center. Bolt is a retired Jamaican sprinter.
“We’re just going to continue to tinker where we need to,” head coach Chris Koclanes said. “Paige wasn’t in the lineup, so there’s somebody missing that is a spark, but we’ll continue to make sure we’re doing everything we can to have the best combinations out there to give us the best chance of winning.”
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