Paige Bueckers watched from the sidelines Saturday night, but her Dallas Wings teammates proved they could win without their star rookie. JJ Quinerly and Aziaha James each scored 15 points to lead the Wings to a 79-71 victory over the Washington Mystics at College Park Center in Arlington, Texas. The win marked Dallas’ fifth of the season and demonstrated the team’s growing depth beyond their No. 1 draft pick.
Paige Bueckers Praises Arike Ogunbowale’s Leadership After 14-Point Display Guides Wings to Vital Win
The Wings entered Saturday’s matchup looking to rebound from a heartbreaking 94-86 home defeat against the Indiana Fever the previous night. When the team learned that Bueckers would sit out with a right knee issue, they faced the challenge of taking on a Mystics squad that entered with an 8-8 record.
Dallas responded emphatically, racing to a 28-9 lead after the first quarter. The balanced scoring attack featured strong performances from Arike Ogunbowale, Quinerly, James, and Myisha Hines-Allen, who combined to maintain the Wings’ advantage throughout the game.
Following the victory, Bueckers took to social media to recognize her teammates’ efforts. The 2025 No. 1 draft pick shared a clip of Ogunbowale on her Instagram story with a heartfelt message praising the veteran guard’s leadership.
“Holding us down vet,” Bueckers wrote.
Ogunbowale finished with 14 points on six field goals while adding two rebounds, three assists, and two steals. The former Notre Dame standout and four-time WNBA All-Star continues to serve as a veteran presence for a Wings team integrating multiple rookies into their rotation.
Final: Wings defeat the Mystics, 79-71
JJ Quinerly: 15 PTS, 4 REB, 4 AST
Arike Ogunbowale: 14 PTS, 3 AST, 2 STL
Aziaha James: 15 PTS, 3 REB, 5 AST
Myisha Hines-Allen: 13 PTS, 6 REB, 5 AST
Dallas improves to 5-13 overall
Next up: Wings host the Mercury on Thursday
– Grant Afseth (@GrantAfseth) June 28, 2025
Building Chemistry Between Stars
The partnership between Bueckers and Ogunbowale has been closely watched since Dallas won the draft lottery in November 2024. When the Wings selected the UConn star with the first overall pick, Ogunbowale expressed her excitement and even shared her joy on X.
Initial concerns centered on whether the two ball-dominant guards could coexist effectively. Both players excel as playmakers who control the pace and can take over games when needed. However, under first-year head coach Chris Koclanes, those concerns appear unfounded.
The duo currently ranks first and second on the Wings’ roster in points, assists, steals, and minutes played. Their complementary play has helped Dallas show signs of improvement as the season approaches its midpoint, though the team’s overall record remains a work in progress at 5-13.
Saturday’s victory showcased exactly what the Wings envisioned when building their roster: a team capable of winning even when their brightest star isn’t available. With Quinerly and James stepping up alongside veteran leadership from Ogunbowale and Hines-Allen, Dallas demonstrated the depth that could prove crucial as they push for a playoff spot in the competitive Western Conference.
