{"id":45824,"date":"2025-07-29T20:00:08","date_gmt":"2025-07-29T20:00:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/45824\/"},"modified":"2025-07-29T20:00:08","modified_gmt":"2025-07-29T20:00:08","slug":"paige-bueckers-arike-ogunbowale-taking-control-of-the-narrative-post-all-star-break","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/45824\/","title":{"rendered":"Paige Bueckers, Arike Ogunbowale taking \u2018control of the narrative\u2019 post All-Star break"},"content":{"rendered":"

Dallas Wings star Arike Ogunbowale had a historic performance on Monday night in a 92-82 upset win over the New York Liberty<\/a>, the defending WNBA champions.<\/p>\n

Ogunbowale scored a game-high 20 points on 7-of-15 shooting and recorded a career-high 14 assists, a franchise record. While rookie Paige Bueckers also shined against the Liberty \u2014 she shot 7-of-12 for 20 points and added four assists \u2014 the phenom said the story of Monday night\u2019s game should be about Ogunbowale.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s a what have you done for me lately world. It\u2019s a what have you done for me lately league,\u201d Bueckers said after the game. \u201cTo have an efficient 20 points, to have 14 assists, one turnover and just playing within the offense, playing within the flow \u2026 For a performance like this tonight, the story should be about her.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cFor me, it wasn\u2019t really about my performance, but Arike\u2019s \u2026 I think everybody should be writing a story about her tonight,\u201d Paige Bueckers said.<\/p>\n

Bueckers and Ogunbowale each scored a game-high 20 points. Ogunbowale had a career-high 14 assists, tying the franchise record. pic.twitter.com\/ZruZaVGMP5<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Myah Taylor (@t_myah) July 29, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n

Sports Roundup<\/p>\n

Get the latest D-FW sports news, analysis and opinion delivered straight to your inbox. Plus, Kevin Sherrington’s A La Carte.<\/p>\n

Bueckers noted in her postgame comments, which made Ogunbowale crack a brief smile, that her teammate has turned things around after the All-Star break.<\/a> The four-time WNBA All-Star entered the break in a shooting slump and had struggled for much of the season, averaging a career-low points per game (15.7) and a career low shooting percentage (34.6).<\/p>\n

Over the Wings\u2019 last two games before the break, losses to the Indiana Fever and the Las Vegas Aces, Ogunbowale went a combined 3-for-22 from the floor. Bueckers stood by Ogunbowale, who has been the face of the Wings for several years<\/a>, during the slump.<\/p>\n

And now Ogunbowale seems to be out of it. Since returning from the All-Star break, Ogunbowale has averaged 18.5 points and six assists per game. She shot above 50% in the first two games out of the break and above 40% over the Wings\u2019 last two contests.<\/p>\n

\u201cProud that Arike has continued to stick with it and believe and invest in herself and her teammates,\u201d Wings coach Chris Koclanes said after Monday\u2019s win. \u201cShe\u2019s just been more calm. She\u2019s been letting the game come to her, making simple decisions and \u2026 trusting her teammates.\u201d<\/p>\n

Related:As Arike Ogunbowale battles shooting slump, Wings maintain strong belief in veteran star<\/a><\/p>\n

Ogunbowale\u2019s investment has made her backcourt partnership with Bueckers, which fans have dubbed \u201cParike,\u201d a success. When both stars have played well, the Wings have been highly-competitive like they were on Monday night.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe made it a point just to communicate with each other more,\u201d Ogunbowale said after the game. \u201cKnowing that we\u2019re kind of two leads on this team and a lot of stuff goes through us and we have to be on the same page, so we\u2019ve been really intentional about it.\u201d<\/p>\n

The duo has emphasized ignoring outside noise surrounding the Wings<\/a>, who sit at 8-19.<\/p>\n

\u201cI think the conversation between us has been controlling what we can control,\u201d Bueckers said.<\/p>\n

That mindset seems to be paying off.<\/p>\n

\u201cThey\u2019re being extremely intentional about \u2018Hey, we can do this together. Forget what the media is saying. Forget the narratives that are out there. We\u2019re in control of the narrative,\u2019\u201d Koclanes said. \u201cIt\u2019s a good, budding, special relationship that they have.\u201d<\/p>\n

Paige Bueckers, Arike Ogunbowale showcase budding chemistry in Wings\u2019 upset of Liberty<\/a>Amid short-handed Dallas Wings\u2019 rash of injuries, Haley Jones providing spark off bench<\/a><\/p>\n

Find more Wings coverage from The Dallas Morning News here<\/a>.<\/p>\n