WNBA: Satou Sabally continues to be phenomenal for Dallas Wings

The Dallas Wings (4-3) are again above .500 after a close win over the Phoenix Mercury (1-4). Regardless of trailing for a lot of the sport and fighting their outdoors taking pictures (4-of-23 on 3-pointers), the Wings locked down on protection within the fourth quarter and completed the sport on a 12-2 run to finish the comeback.

Although the Wings’ effort was characterised primarily by workforce stats — Dallas outrebounded Phoenix 50-26 and tried 27 free throws to the Mercury’s 13 — they received just a few standout performances as nicely, significantly of their frontcourt. Ahead Satou Sabally recorded one other large double-double of 24 factors and 10 rebounds and hit a trio of 3-pointers, persevering with what has been a breakout season and elevating her averages by seven video games to 22.4 factors, 10.6 rebounds, three assists and 1.9 steals per sport. Sabally can be taking pictures a career-high from each 2-point (53.7 p.c) and 3-point vary (36.4 p.c).

Middle Kalani Brown additionally performed a vital position within the Wings’ victory. Signed utilizing an emergency hardship exception within the wake of accidents to Diamond DeShields and Lou Lopez Sénéchal, Brown received the beginning towards Brittney Griner and the Mercury and greater than held her personal, recording 17 factors and 15 rebounds, each of which have been profession highs. Whereas it had beforehand been Natasha Howard getting the beginning at middle with Brown coming off the bench, Wings head coach Latricia Trammell opted for a much bigger lineup towards the 6-foot-9 Griner, which can in all probability be one thing she turns to once more towards bigger opponents.

Rookie ahead Maddy Siegrist had a profession night time, too, recording 14 factors and eight rebounds (5 offensive) in 19 minutes off the bench. Even with accidents to the Wings at each the small ahead and energy ahead positions, Siegrist hadn’t established a constant position in Dallas previous to Wednesday’s sport, so maybe this would be the begin of one thing extra distinguished for the heralded Villanova product.

Sims assumes backup level guard duties instead of Dangerfield

Picture by Layne Murdoch/NBAE through Getty Pictures

Odyssey Sims is again in Dallas and made her 2023 debut towards the Mercury. She was signed utilizing an emergency hardship exception given to the Wings when guard Crystal Dangerfield injured her ankle final Sunday towards the Connecticut Solar.

Although Sims’ night was minimize quick when she collided with Griner and needed to depart the sport, she did document six assists in 20 minutes off the bench, primarily splitting time with start line guard Veronica Burton (three assists in 21 minutes). These minutes might be necessary sooner or later because the Wings scramble to seek out sufficient ball-handling reps between Burton and Arike Ogunbowale (20.6 factors per sport); ideally, Dallas want to proceed taking part in Ogunbowale off the ball, so assuming Sims is in good well being, don’t be shocked if she continues to get an honest variety of minutes transferring ahead.

What’s subsequent for the Wings

In an fascinating scheduling quirk, the Wings will play the Mercury as soon as once more on Friday, earlier than heading to New York to play the Liberty (4-2) for the primary time this season on Sunday — a sport that might be televised nationally on ABC. The Wings went 2-1 towards the Liberty in 2022.