Wings Top Dream, 101-74
September 20, 2023 - Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA)
Dallas Wings News Release
ARLINGTON, Texas - The Dallas Wings (2-0) defeated the Atlanta Dream (0-2), 101-74, Tuesday, September 19 at College Park Center to sweep the Dream in the first round in the WNBA Playoffs. With the win, Dallas will advance to the second round of playoffs, where they will begin a best-of-five series against the Las Vegas Aces on Sunday, September 24. The series win represents Dallas' first since 2009.
The 27-point win is the largest postseason margin of victory in Wings franchise history, breaking the mark set by the Detroit Shock in 2006, and represents the Wings franchise's first 100-point postseason game since 2007.
The Wings are the first team in WNBA Playoff history to have seven players score in double figures (Ogunbowale-20, Kuier-13, Sablly-13, Brown-12, McCowan-12, Dangerfield-11, Howard-10).
Teaira McCowan recorded her second straight playoff double-double, finishing with 12 points and 16 rebounds. With her 16 rebounds, she recorded the second most rebounds in Wings franchise playoff history (23, Cheryl Ford, 2006). McCowan joins Sylvia Fowles (2017 vs. LA) as the second player to have 30+ rebounds over a two-game span in a series in WNBA Playoff history.
Arike Ogunbowale led the scoring efforts for the Wings, finishing with 20 points accompanied by a team leading seven assists. Satou Sabally totaled 13 points. Awak Kuier's 6-8 shooting for 13 points led the bench efforts and contributed to her team leading +/- of 22. She additionally provided a team leading three blocks.
Crystal Dangerfield finished with 11 points, while Natasha Howard, in her 50th career playoff game, recorded 10 points and nine rebounds.
Dallas Wings Notes:
The Dallas bench outscored the Atlanta bench 35-12.
The Wings outscored the Dream 54-34 in the paint, 18-7 in second chance points and 14-6 in fast break points.
Dallas outrebounded Atlanta 41-28, of which included 12 offensive rebounds.
Dallas shot 41-78 (52.6%) from the field.
Up Next:
Dallas will begin Round 2 of the 2023 WNBA Playoffs in Las Vegas at Michelob ULTRA Arena on Sunday, September 24 at 4 p.m CT. Live coverage will be available on ESPN2.
Score after 1st Quarter: Dallas 23, Atlanta 24
Score at Halftime: Dallas 52, Atlanta 34
Score after 3rd Quarter: Dallas 70, Atlanta 50
Final Score: Dallas 101, Atlanta 74
Post-Game Quotes
Head Coach Latricia Trammell
On the emotions she and the team are feeling...
"Just ecstatic for this team. We've been in the locker room celebrating with one another and what a great balanced game from everyone. It was just a special night for this organization, for everyone in the office doing their due diligence, the people putting fans in the stands, social media, I could go on and on. Like I said, I'm extremely ecstatic for these young ladies."
On the team's depth...
"What's great is, [President & CEO] Greg [Bibb] came into the coach's locker room and said that may have been the best basketball he's seen here in eight years and one of the best nights for Awak [Kuier]. She got the Drip Chain, for those wondering. Each starter scored double digits, Kalani [Brown] came in and did an amazing job, 100% from the field, 5-5 with 12 points. Awak with 13 [points]. Outrebounded them 41-28 which was a goal of ours, and scored 25 points off their turnovers, so I was proud of our defense. Turning our defense into our offense, adjusting, and the players did an excellent job of executing."
On Arike Ogunbowale's playmaking during the second quarter...
"That's Arike. It's what she does. She's a competitor, but she's one that's been in those big moments and she strives for it. I've said this before, but she's an underrated defender. She's a great defender. Taking the challenge of [Rhyne] Howard and switching off during the second half on [Allisha] Gray, but we wouldn't be here without her. I'm extremely happy for her because of her leadership, her voice, [all of which] has been extremely beneficial."
On Ogunbowale's performance this postseason following last year when she wasn't fully heathy during the playoffs...
"I went up to her and you know I got teary-eyed because I know the journey she's been through and how bad she wants this. I'm just happy for her. The words can't express it, it's not enough credit to them, because they're amazing."
On her growth since she was first hired...
"Staying true to myself, I always tell the players 'Do you.' I think not changing who I am and just building relationships and connections. When I first entered this league, another coach told me, 'Do not gain a relationship with these players, the WNBA is a business and players come and go.' I'm so glad I didn't take that advice, so I think just staying true to who I am."
On the emotions in the locker room after tonight's win...
"The best part of it was when everyone kept repeating, 'We're not done yet.' They just kept saying that, so we cheered with that, I told them to enjoy this moment, take the day off tomorrow, and get ready for Vegas."
On what she is looking to continue from this series in the next round...
"Just practicing at a high-level, enjoying this moment but locking in. We haven't seen them in a while but let me remind you, we did beat them once. It's going to be a lot of fun."
On Crystal Dangerfield and Odyssey Sims performances and leadership tonight...
"That's what I love about having the three-point guards in Veronica [Burton], Odyssey and Crystal because they bring something different to the table when we need it. I looked at Odyssey and said, 'It's time to bring the energy on defense.' They were getting downhill way too much and she looked at me and said, 'No problem, I got it.' That's what you want to hear from your players. Crystal has the best mid-range game in the league in my opinion, whatever the game plan is she's going to stick with it and does an amazing job. When Veronica comes in, she's going to knock down some threes, but she's also going to do those non-negotiables and little intangibles that you don't notice like fighting through screens, getting deflections, and disrupting what they want to do. When you have those three, I I like it."
On the atmosphere of tonight's game and special guests in attendance...
"It was so great to have a lot of the Dallas Mavericks players and coach in attendance, when we have that collaboration between both teams, it grows our games, so I want to thank them for coming out. I remember one time, I looked at Dirk [Nowitzki] after Satou did something and said, 'It's just a Germany thing.' So, it was cool to be able to interact with him a little during the game as well."
On what this means for her and her journey as a coach...
I think about my mom, dad, and brother that I lost. The biggest supporters. I thought about them a lot during this game, and I know they're extremely proud."
On if she envisioned having this success when she started her career coaching in high school...
You better believe it. That's how I thought. When I was inducted into the Seminole High School Hall of Fame that was one of the first things they asked, did I see myself here today? It's like with all the people in the room now, you just try to do the right thing, and work extremely hard, believe you can do something, surround yourself with successful people and you just got to grind. I drive to my passion every day, and if I can enhance these players on and off the court, I've accomplished something."
On how important transition will be against the Las Vegas Aces...
"That's what we love to do. Turn our defense into our offense and I stressed it during timeouts this evening. That's kind of what fuels our fire, that, and rebounding. So, that's going to be extremely important going into next series."
On how it feels to be responsible for the change of the culture here in Dallas...
"Oh, c'mon now! That's the players, that's the buy in, I heard Satou say the other day they love each other, their connected, and if I can have a small part in that, then that is a wonderful feeling, but I enjoy being around them."
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- Wings Top Dream, 101-74 - Dallas Wings
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