Dallas Wings Clinch WNBA Playoffs Berth for First Time Since 2023
Paige Bueckers scored 32 points and Dallas secured its first postseason berth since 2023 after back-to-back wins.
- On Tuesday, the Dallas Wings defeated the Portland Fire 96-78, clinching the final 2026 WNBA playoff spot. The victory secures Dallas's first postseason appearance since 2023 and establishes a franchise record of 22 wins.
- Coach Jose Fernandez revitalized the team in his first year, guiding the Wings to the postseason after missing the playoffs the past two seasons. The turnaround follows a difficult 10-34 finish last season and a 9-31 campaign in 2024.
- Star guard Paige Bueckers tallied 22 points and 11 assists, while forward Jessica Shepard added 21 points and 9 rebounds. All five Wings starters scored in double figures, overwhelming Portland throughout the victory.
- The loss officially eliminated the Portland Fire from playoff contention in their inaugural season. Portland finishes with a 15-23 record, struggling with frontcourt depth and free-throw discrepancies throughout the campaign.
- With the final seed secured, Dallas now shifts focus to playoff seeding with five regular-season games remaining. The Wings currently occupy eighth place and await a potential first-round matchup against the top-seeded Minnesota Lynx.
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WNBA Fans Fixate on Paige Bueckers’ Teammate for Unusual Reason After Wings Clinches First Playoff Spot Since 2023
The Dallas Wings finally had the celebration they’ve spent years waiting for. After missing the playoffs in each of the past two seasons, Dallas has finally punched their ticket back to the postseason. As the team celebrates its latest 96-78 win over the Portland Fire, all the attention is on Paige Bueckers’ teammate Arike Ogunbowale for an unexpected reason. After the game, a post from @brwsports on Instagram revealed that Arike Ogunbowale had …
Bueckers, Wings win, seal last WNBA playoff berth
The Dallas Wings claimed the eighth and final WNBA playoff spot Tuesday with their 96-78 victory over the Portland Fire at College Park Center, sending star guard Paige Bueckers, the 2025 No. 1 overall pick, to the postseason for the first time.
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Paige Bueckers, Jessica Shepard lead Wings over Fire and into playoffs
Paige Bueckers poured in 22 points and dished 11 assists to lead the Dallas Wings to a wire-to-wire, 96-78 win over the Portland Fire on Tuesday in Arlington, Texas, to clinch the WNBA's eighth and final playoff spot. Dallas (23-16) won its third straight game and will be in the postseason for the first time
Associated Press News
Wings beat the Fire 96-78 to clinch the final WNBA playoff spot
Paige Bueckers had 22 points and 11 assists, Jessica Shepard added 21 points, nine rebounds and six assists, and the Dallas Wings beat the Portland Fire 96-78 to clinch the final WNBA playoff spot.
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