The Dallas Wings fall to the Chicago Sky Friday, 84-77.
Plenette Pierson returned after missing four games with a concussion to lead the Wings with 20 points. Elena Delle Donne led Chicago with 24 points.
Dallas has six players averaging double figures this season, but it was not until the third quarter when Pierson and Karima Christmas cracked double-digit scoring.
The Wings had a fighting chance throughout the game because of their rebounding. In the first half they had eight offensive rebounds and were down 38-35 at halftime. But the Sky cracked down on defense in the third quarter to boost their lead to six. Dallas rallied to close the gap and take the lead in the fourth, but Chicago forced the Wings to shoot just 37 percent from the field with their defensive effort.
Dallas was without leading rebounder Glory Johnson, who is out with a broken toe for the next four to six weeks, so the Sky were able to match the Wings on the boards. Dallas was more vulnerable in the middle without Johnson’s presence, which allowed Jamierra Faulker to attack in the lane and put up 13 points for the Sky.
The Wings have been able to win games when they have bad shooting nights because they are the best offensive rebounding team in the league, but the Sky did not allow them to dominate on the boards. Dallas has had to reshuffle its lineup because of injury, and has not yet been able to play well consistently.
The Wings have three more games before the Olympic break, with the next Sunday against the Lynx. Last Saturday, Minnesota beat Dallas by 37 in their first meeting. The Wings’ other two games are home.
Dallas players and coaches will wear special warmup shirts Sunday featuring the “#DALLASSTRONG” logo to honor last week’s shooting victims. Prior to tip off, the Wings will conduct a moment of silence to pay respect to those who lost their lives and reflect on how the recent events can strengthen resolve to unite behind shared aspirations to build a better and stronger community, where goodness rules.
