The Minnesota Lynx welcomed the Dallas Wings to Target Center Wednesday night for their season home opener. It was also a home opener for Paige Bueckers, who was the #1 draft pick by Dallas. The 12,772 fans gave the Hopkins, Minnesota kid a boisterous welcome. At the tip-off, the Wings then proceeded to give the Lynx their own brand of welcome.
The Lynx opened the game with a turnover, and for the first six minutes of the game Dallas seemed the more aggressive team. NaLyssa Smith and Arike Ogunbowale got the scoring started for Dallas, and Napheesa Collier and Karlie Samuelson responded.
With a score of 5 – 5, Dallas went on a 10 point run until Minnesota called a time-out at the 6 minute mark. The Lynx then went on a 12 point run, when Ogunbowale hit a three, putting the Wings back up 18 – 17. Collier and Courtney Williams scored the next 4 points for the Lynx, ending the quarter with Minnesota up 21 – 18.
The Lynx got back to form in the second quarter, and managed to stay in front of Dallas although the Wings kept it relatively close. Bueckers got her first bucket of the game, a three point shot, with 3 minutes left, much to the delight of the crowd. Samuelson, Natisha Hiedeman, and Alanna Smith did the bulk of the scoring for Minnesota, who ended the half up 47 – 40.
A Competitive Second Half From The Lynx and Wings
The third and fourth quarters were much of the same. Tightly played, with the Wings continually knocking at the door, and eventually getting to within 2 points on a three from Ogunbowale with 39 seconds left in the game. But a foul on Ogunbowale sent Collier to the free throw line, who made both shots, putting the score at 85 – 81. Bueckers missed a three point shot, and that is where the game ended.
FIRST HOME DUB 👏 pic.twitter.com/o1u8ADCDIy
— Minnesota Lynx (@minnesotalynx) May 22, 2025
Collier, who got off to a slow start, ended with 28 points. Both Smith and Williams scored 13 points, and Hiedeman added 10. Although not abundant scoring, both Carleton and Samuelson added 9 each, points that came at crucial moments.
Ogunbowale led the Wings with 21 points, with Bueckers recording a double-double of 12 points and 10 assists. Both DiJonai Carrington and Myisha Hines-Allen added 11 points.
Turnovers were a problem for Minnesota with 19, off of which Dallas scored 21 points. Dallas turned the ball over 14 times, giving up 10 points.
Lynx and Wings: A Tale of Two Different Teams
Each team still has some feeling out left to get past. With Ogunbowale the only returning starter for Dallas, plus a new coach and a new system, the chemistry isn’t quite there yet. Teaira McCowan, who has been such a dominant presence for the Wings, has logged very few minutes. Maddy Siegrist off the bench can always be dangerous, as is Tyasha Harris. Minnesota, still without Kayla McBride, has had to adapt to Samuelson as a starter.
Jessica Shepard, who wasn’t with the team last season, is learning new players as well, but Shepard’s impact has been noticeable from the start. So each team needs a little time to adjust. Dallas is a good team; they all just have to start playing the same game. Minnesota’s path isn’t as long, but they still have work to do.
Next up for Dallas is a trip to Atlanta to meet the Dream on Saturday. The Minnesota Lynx stay home to meet a completely revamped Connecticut Sun on Friday.
And that, my friends, as they say, is that.’ — Martin Ruben.
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