Roller Coaster Week Brings Celebrations for Wings
This past week the Wings went 1-3 with losses to the Las Vegas Aces and Chicago Storm. However, it wasn't all negative news for the team.
History seemed to be on the Dallas Wings side this week. On August 2nd against the Seattle Storm, the Wings made history.
Wings made history last week, with a number of players breaking career milestones.
Center Teaira McCowan recorded 12 points, six rebounds, three assists and two steals against the Storm. However, the biggest highlight was her achievement of 1,500 career points.
Arike Ogunbowale and Satou Sabally also joined the milestone club. On Wednesday, Ogunbowale became the franchise’s all-time three-point leader, as she surpassed Deanna Nolan of the Detroit Shock. As for Sabally, she reached 1,000 career points.
The team’s parade came to an end Friday when Dallas fell to the Chicago Sky 104-89. In the game, the Wings check marked every category against the Sky. The team had 14 more points inside the paint, two more assists, and three less fouls.
So, what was the problem?
Shooting! Lots of missed opportunities.
Against the Sky, Dallas shot 47.9% from the field. They made 35% of their attempted threes and missed seven key free throws. Offensively, the Wings could not match Chicago’s firepower, as they were outscored by four or more points during the first three quarters.
“You never wanted to make excuses,” Coach Latricia Trammell said.
On the defensive side, Dallas had no gas. The team was either late to their assignment or slow running up the court. The Wings allowed the Sky to convert 55.1% of their shots, as Chicago went 58.3% from behind the arc. The Sky had four players average double digit points. Three of the Sky’s starters dropped in 20 or more points.
Coach Trammell spoke the defensive struggles Friday. When describing the game, she stated that the team was “lacking energy from the defensive end,” and not “following the assignments.”
It wasn’t all negative Friday, as forward Natasha Howard dropped in her first career triple double with 28 points, 12 rebounds, and 11 assists. This season, she has recorded 11 double-doubles, but has yet to manage five or more assists.
Sabally talked about the career night for Howard and her recent success with the team.
“She’s amazing. Obviously she’s a really tough less player. She’s an all-star. I’m actually really honored that it’s with us rather than any other team.”
The Chicago Blues Hit Dallas Once Again
After a couple of record breaking performances, the Wings fell again to the Chicago Sky. On Sunday, the team lost 104-96. Forwards Natasha Howard and Sabally combined for 49 points, 12 assists, and 10 rebounds. However, the defense seem to let up once again.
On Friday Chicago shot 58.3% from three; fast forward to Sunday and the Sky made 46.2% of their shots from long range.
“We got to do better at defending the ball, you know just one on one,” Trammell said. “We got to do our work early, we got to get up in passing lanes a little bit better and just disrupt not making that easy pass.”
Dallas will have their work cut out for them as they face the Las Vegas Aces. Not only are they the number one team in the league, but they also have the best three-point percentage in the league.
The Wings next three games include Vegas, and back-to-back games against the three-seed Connecticut Sun. Connecticut is coming off a 38 point win against the Aces.
With Dallas tied with the Atlanta Dream for the fourth seed, these next couple of games will be crucial if the team hopes to get home court advantage in the playoffs.
“The playoffs are going to be tough, our ultimate goal right now is to win a playoff series, and then let the chips fall where they may,” Trammell said.