The 2025 WNBA preseason kicked off with a highly anticipated matchup between the Dallas Wings and the Las Vegas Aces, at Notre Dame’s Purcell Pavilion. The game was notable for the professional debut of Paige Bueckers, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2025 WNBA Draft, the coaching debut of Chris Koclanes, and marked a return to familiar grounds for Arike Ogunbowale, a former Notre Dame standout. Despite a promising start, the Wings fell to the Aces with a final score of 112–78.
Game Overview
Dallas opened the game with a starting lineup featuring Bueckers, Ogunbowale, DiJonai Carrington, NaLyssa Smith, and Teaira McCowan. The Wings managed to secure a 25–23 lead after the first quarter, showcasing their potential with dynamic plays and effective ball movement. However, the Aces quickly adjusted, implementing a zone defense that disrupted Dallas’s offensive rhythm. Las Vegas capitalized on turnovers and dominated the second quarter with a 32–11 run, leading to a 55–36 advantage at halftime. The Aces maintained their momentum throughout the second half, outscoring the Wings 32–27 in the third quarter and 25–15 in the fourth, sealing their victory.
Jackie Young led the Aces charge with 28 points, going a perfect 13-for-13 from the free-throw line, and added nine assists and five rebounds. A’ja Wilson contributed 19 points and seven rebounds, while Chelsea Gray added 13 points and three assists. Rookie Aaliyah Nye impressed off the bench with 17 points, showcasing the Aces’ depth.
The Dallas Wings, integrating several new players, showed moments of promise. Rookie JJ Quinerly led the team with 16 points, while Maddy Siegrist added 11. Paige Bueckers, in her much-anticipated debut, scored 10 points on 4-of-7 shooting, including two three-pointers, and grabbed four rebounds . Despite these individual performances, the Wings struggled with turnovers and defensive cohesion, indicative of a team in transition.
Quarter‑By‑Quarter Breakdown
- 1st Quarter: Wings 25, Aces 23
Dallas leaned on fresh lineups—Bueckers, Arike Ogunbowale, DiJonai Carrington, NaLyssa Smith, Teaira McCowan—to take an unexpected early edge. Their spacing and speed forced Las Vegas to adjust. - 2nd Quarter: Wings 11, Aces 32
The Aces flipped the script with a blistering 32–11 run. Becky Hammon’s squad switched into a zone that clogged driving lanes, led to turnovers, and built a 55–36 halftime lead. - 3rd Quarter: Wings 27, Aces 32
Las Vegas maintained momentum, relying on second‑chance points and hot shooting, while Dallas struggled to solve the Aces’ length. - 4th Quarter: Wings 15, Aces 25
With the game in hand, Vegas closed out comfortably. Dallas kept competing inside—outscoring the Aces 30–24 in the paint for the night—but turnovers and rebounding deficits told the story.
Top Performers
Dallas Wings:
- JJ Quinerly: The rookie guard led the Wings with 16 points, shooting an efficient 7-of-10 from the field.
- Paige Bueckers: In her WNBA debut, Bueckers contributed 10 points on 4-of-7 shooting, including 2-of-3 from beyond the arc, along with four rebounds and one assist in 23 minutes of play.
- Aziaha James: Another rookie making her debut, James added 10 points, demonstrating her scoring ability and potential as a valuable asset off the bench.
- Maddy Siegrist: The third-year forward chipped in with 11 points, providing a steady presence in the frontcourt.
Las Vegas Aces:
- Jackie Young: Returning to her college home court, Young delivered an outstanding performance with 28 points, including eight three-pointers, and nine assists in under 30 minutes.
- A’ja Wilson: The reigning MVP contributed 19 points and seven rebounds, showcasing her dominance in the paint and leadership on the court.
- Chelsea Gray: The veteran guard facilitated the offense effectively, adding 10 points and providing crucial playmaking throughout the game.
- Aaliyah Nye: Coming off the bench, Nye made a significant impact with 17 points, including two three-pointers, adding depth to the Aces’ scoring options.
Statistical Breakdown
- Field Goal Percentage: Dallas shot 45.3% (29-of-64), while Las Vegas shot 48.7% (38-of-78).
- Three-Point Shooting: The Wings made 9-of-21 (42.9%) from beyond the arc, compared to the Aces’ 14-of-32 (43.8%).
- Free Throws: Dallas converted 11-of-13 (84.6%) free throws, whereas Las Vegas capitalized on 22-of-25 (88.0%).
- Rebounds: The Aces outrebounded the Wings 40–28, including a 12–6 edge in offensive boards.
- Turnovers: Dallas committed 19 turnovers, leading to 23 points for Las Vegas, who had only 10 turnovers resulting in 16 points for the Wings.
Coach’s Perspective
Dallas Wings head coach Chris Koclanes acknowledged the challenges faced during the game, particularly the impact of live-ball turnovers. He emphasized the need for the team to adapt to the physicality and pace of the WNBA, noting that the preseason is a learning opportunity for integrating new players and developing team chemistry.
Looking Ahead
While the Aces reaffirmed their championship credentials, the Wings’ focus remains on building chemistry and integrating their new talent. Coach Koclanes emphasized patience and growth as the team prepares for the regular season. The Wings’ next preseason game offers another opportunity to refine their strategies and build momentum.