Track Meet in Indy: Wings Outlast Fever in Opening Night Fireworks
Track Meet in Indy: Wings Outlast Fever in Opening Night Fireworks
INDIANAPOLIS — If the WNBA season-opener was any indication of what’s coming in 2026, grab your oxygen tanks now. In a high-octane offensive explosion that saw both teams shooting over 50%, the Dallas Wings spoiled the party at Gainbridge Fieldhouse, escaping with a 107-104 victory over the Indiana Fever on Saturday.
The game lived up to the massive hype, coming down to a frantic final sequence where two of the game's brightest stars had looks to tie it, only to watch the iron stay unkind.
Arike and Paige: The Dynamic Duo
The Wings’ backcourt was operating at an elite level, led by the ever-dangerous Arike Ogunbowale, who dropped 22 points. But the story of the night for Dallas was the seamless integration of Paige Bueckers. In her much-anticipated sophomore debut with the Wings, Bueckers was surgical, scoring 20 points on a blistering 8-of-10 from the field.
Not to be outdone, veteran Odyssey Sims provided the veteran punch with 20 points of her own, while Jessica Shepard nearly messed around and got a triple-double in her debut, finishing with 13 points, 9 assists, and 9 rebounds.
The Fever’s Final Stand
Indiana didn't go quietly. Kelsey Mitchell was an absolute flamethrower, leading all scorers with 30 points. Aliyah Boston dominated her matchups to the tune of 23 points, and Caitlin Clark stuffed the stat sheet in her sophomore season debut with 20 points, 7 assists, and 5 rebounds.
The turning point came early in the fourth when Aziaha James converted a rare four-point play to give Dallas an 84-82 lead. The Wings never trailed again, though they certainly let the Fever hang around.
The Final Seconds
With Dallas leading by three, the stage was set for a trademark Caitlin Clark moment. With seven seconds left, Clark launched one of her signature deep triples, but it failed to find the bottom of the net. After Paige Bueckers uncharacteristically missed two free throws to ice it, Kelsey Mitchell got one last look at the buzzer to force overtime, but the shot rattled out.
By the Numbers:
Dallas: 59% FG / 52% 3PT
Indiana: 52% FG / 29% 3PT
The disparity from beyond the arc told the story. While Indiana was efficient inside, they couldn't match the long-range barrage from a Dallas squad that looked like they couldn't miss if they tried.
Sanchez Sideline Take
This was "Raw Sports" at its finest. Dallas showed they have the depth and the perimeter shooting to be a nightmare for anyone in the league, while Indiana proved they have the star power to stay in any fight. Seeing Bueckers and Ogunbowale mesh so well should have the rest of the Western Conference on high alert.
Up Next:
Dallas: The Wings head home to host Atlanta on Tuesday.
Indiana: The Fever hit the road to visit Los Angeles on Wednesday.
