The energy in the building when the Chicago Sky and Dallas Wings faced off was off the charts. With both squads trying to find their footing after rough starts, it felt like both teams had something to prove. Arike Ogunbowale’s Dallas had just secured their first win of the season against the Sun and was hoping to ride that wave, while Chicago came in desperate to shake off an 0–4 start. You could feel the tension—and the urgency, right from tip-off.
Still, things stayed neck and neck for much of the night. Chicago managed to stay a step ahead in the first half, but then came the third quarter and all bets were off. Suddenly, it was a scoring frenzy, with both sides trading blows and refusing to let up. But in the end, the Sky just had a bit more left in the tank, grinding out a gritty win in what felt more like a playoff clash than a regular season game.
Meanwhile, Arike Ogunbowale was out there doing what only Arike does. The All-Star guard exploded for 37 points, once again proving she’s built for the big moments. Because when the game turns into a shootout, Ogunbowale classically comes in guns blazing.
But she didn’t do it alone. Paige Bueckers continued to show why she’s one to watch. The rookie packed the stat sheet with 15 points, 5 rebounds, 3 blocks, 8 assists, and 3 steals—a ridiculous all-around performance that has fans buzzing. But despite the firepower, Dallas fell short.
Now, fans aren’t just celebrating standout nights—they’re calling out the glaring issue. After another wasted masterclass, many believe the Wings desperately need more depth and stronger defensive presence off the bench.
Fans are done watching Arike Ogunbowale cook in vain
To be fair, Thursday night’s matchup had all the drama you’d expect from two desperate teams. The Sky and Wings battled it out like their season depended on it. The back-and-forth swings, the clutch buckets, and the constant pressure made it a rollercoaster for anyone watching. Yet when it was all said and done, Chicago just handled the crunch-time moments better. They stayed calm, played smart, and walked away with their first win—even with Arike Ogunbowale doing Arike-type things.
Dallas Wings vs Minnesota Lynx Arlington, Texas, United States: Arike Ogunbowale of the Dallas Wings in action during the WNBA, Basketball Damen, USA game between the Dallas Wings and the Minnesota Lynx at College Park Center on Thursday August 24, 2023. Photo by Javier Vicencio / Eyepix Group Copyright: xJavierxVicenciox/xEyepixxGroupx JV200813
Naturally, Wings fans were devastated. Watching Ogunbowale go off for a season-high and Paige Bueckers stuff the stat sheet, only to lose again, felt like a gut punch. As one fan vented, “Can’t have Arike playing like that and Paige having a full stat sheet game and still lose.” Another chimed in, “Wings should have went out and got a big or a forward. Can’t j be Arike and Paige every night.” Clearly, folks are tired of watching elite performances go to waste—they want help in the paint.
And honestly, they’re not wrong. Since losing Satou Sabally, Dallas has been missing that size and presence. Right now, their only consistent big is Myisha Hines-Allen, who played 25 minutes with 10 points, 4 rebounds, and 6 assists. But the fans are demanding more than that. One put it plainly: “They need a big bruh especially after they lost Sabally.” Another didn’t hold back: “They need a big so bad.”
So, what’s the fix? For some, it’s simple—go all in on the next draft. One hopeful fan said it loud: “Give us that #1 pick so we can get Lauren Betts.” At 6-foot-7, Betts isn’t just tall—she’s dominant. Add her alongside Ogunbowale and Paige? That could be scary.
Now, here’s the kicker—Dallas actually did have the No. 1 overall pick in the 2025 WNBA Draft, where they got Paige. So, could lightning strike twice? Only time will tell.
The post After Arike Ogunbowale’s Historic Night Goes in Vain Fans Urge Dallas Wings to Address One Dire Need appeared first on EssentiallySports.