Bueckers' Fourth-Quarter Magic Powers Wings' Stunning 15-Point Comeback!
The Dallas Wings staged a stunning 15-point fourth-quarter comeback, scoring a season-high 36 points to defeat the Chicago Sky 93-92. Li Yueru's late free throws secured Dallas's first lead, while Jessica Shepard and Paige Bueckers spearheaded the dramatic rally.The Dallas Wings orchestrated a remarkable comeback victory against the Chicago Sky on Saturday night in Arlington, Texas, securing a 93-92 win. The Wings scored a season-high 36 points in the fourth quarter, rallying from a 15-point deficit to claim their sixth straight home game and match their win total from the previous season. The decisive moment came with 12.5 seconds left when Li Yueru made two free throws, giving Dallas its first lead of the game.
Jessica Shepard was instrumental in the comeback, scoring 17 of her 21 points in the second half and adding eight rebounds. Paige Bueckers also played a crucial role, contributing 19 points, including 10 of 11 points for the Wings during a critical stretch of the rally. She further bolstered her performance with eight assists and seven rebounds. Rookie Azzi Fudd chipped in 13 points, and Arike Ogunbowale added 12 points, contributing to Dallas's hard-fought victory.
According to ESPN Research, the Wings' recovery from a 71-57 deficit entering the fourth quarter, after trailing by as much as 15 points earlier in the period, marked the third-largest fourth-quarter comeback in franchise history. Reflecting on the team's resilience, Bueckers stated, "We always felt like we were in it and we were scrapping and fighting. We were just trying to attack that way and just chip away, not hit any home runs, but one possession at a time, dig in defensively, get what we want and execute offensively and just keep huddling, keep having that constant communication of what we want and just to stick with it until the final buzzer."
For the Chicago Sky, who have now lost five games in a row and 10 of their last 11, Kamilla Cardoso led the charge with 26 points, just one short of her career high, along with nine rebounds. Rookie Sydney Taylor added 18 points before fouling out, while Skylar Diggins scored 14 and Natasha Cloud contributed 10. Chicago initially dominated the paint, outscoring Dallas 20-0 in the first quarter to take a 28-16 lead. Although Dallas narrowed the gap to 43-38 by halftime, the Sky regained control in the third quarter, extending their lead to 71-57 before the Wings' incredible fourth-quarter surge.