The No. 7 Dallas Wings return home to host the No. 2 Golden State Valkyries in Game 2 of the WNBA’s first playoff round on Wednesday night. The matchup follows the Wings’ 104-80 blowout loss Sunday at the Chase Center. Dallas has an opportunity to punch back after being dismantled in Game 1.
Tipoff for Game 2 is scheduled for 8 p.m.
The shorthanded Wings have found themselves backed into a corner by a tougher team with a deeper bench. Dallas needs to muster up what bit of fight they have left, go out
with their heads held high, and prove that they belong in the playoffs. The effort shown in Dallas’ Game 1 loss allowed the Valkyries to take the momentum of the game early and never let go. Dallas cannot let the game slip from its grasp early again in Game 2, or this matchup will end in a sweep with another blowout loss.
Here are three things to note as the Wings face the Valkyries in their last game at College Park Center with elimination on the line.
Play defense like you are in the postseason
Dallas’ defensive effort in Game 1 caused the Wings to dig themselves into an early hole they couldn’t get themselves out of. The Valkyries started to run dribble drives that the Wings were unable to stop, leading to big contributions from Cecilia Zandalasini and Tiffany Hayes early. Dallas ultimately allowed Golden State to shoot 18-of-36 from behind the arc, as they struggled with defensive rotations. The Valkyries saw barbecue chicken any time they found themselves in a matchup with Jessica Shepard. The Wings’ defensive effort in Game 1 was not that of a playoff team. If Dallas allows their effort to slip early again, then Game 2 will feel like a rewatch.
Second-quarter woes
If the Wings want a fighting chance in Game 2, they cannot repeat Sunday night’s second quarter. Dallas allowed 37 points in that quarter and let their defense dictate how they played offensively. “A 37-point quarter is crazy work,” Bueckers said following Game 1.
Bueckers went on to note that the Wings need to get stops on the defensive end so they can find easy transition buckets. Dallas’ offense fell flat in this quarter, scoring just 11 points. Scoring droughts are hard to overcome in the playoffs; Dallas needs their bench to contribute early, or Game 2 will get away from them fast.
Don’t leave Paige Bueckers to do it alone
The Wings can’t leave Paige Bueckers to do it alone as she did in Game 1. The Valkyries are too tough defensively for her to bear that responsibility on her own. Golden State threw single coverage at her through most of the first half in Game 1 and then switched to doubling her through the remainder of the game. Bueckers was seemingly unbothered by DPOY candidate Gabby Williams at times.
Dallas needs more from Shepard and Arike Ogunbowale in Game 2. Shepard was unable to handle the physicality Golden State threw at her, and she was unable to get out of her own head for the rest of the game. The pairing is paid too much money for the no-shows seen in Game 1. If Dallas wants a fighting chance, then someone needs to step up to the plate alongside Bueckers.
Dallas has to play with a little shame in Game 2.
Where to watch
Catch the action on the tail end of ESPN’s Wednesday night slate at 8 p.m. CT.
