SEATTLE — The Dallas Wings survived a hostile road environment and a monster performance from Seattle’s Dominique Malonga, escaping Climate Pledge Arena with a 112-110 overtime victory over the Storm on Monday night in a game that went down to the wire.
Malonga was nothing short of extraordinary for Seattle, finishing with 37 points and 12 rebounds — a double-double that would have been enough to carry most teams to victory. Natisha Hiedeman added a remarkable 11 assists to keep the Storm’s offense humming, and yet it still wasn’t enough to hold off a Dallas squad that shot the ball with remarkable efficiency throughout the contest.
Paige Bueckers led the Wings with 27 points, providing the offensive punch Dallas needed to stay competitive against Malonga’s relentless production. Jessica Shepard was equally impactful in a supporting role, pulling down a game-high 9 rebounds while also distributing 8 assists — a well-rounded performance that helped Dallas control the flow of the game in key stretches.
The Wings’ efficiency from the field was a major factor in their ability to outlast Seattle. Dallas connected on 48 of 89 field goal attempts for a 54 percent shooting clip, a figure that kept the Wings within striking distance even as Malonga repeatedly threatened to take over. From beyond the arc, Dallas went 9-for-24, good for 38 percent, and converted 7 of 9 free throw attempts to round out a balanced offensive night.
Dallas also demonstrated strong ball movement throughout the game, finishing with 30 assists on those 48 made baskets — a ratio that reflects a team playing connected, purposeful basketball. The Wings added 9 steals on the defensive end, creating extra possessions that proved critical in a game decided by just two points. Dallas also limited its own mistakes, committing only 9 total turnovers while generating havoc on the other end.
On the boards, Dallas collected 34 total rebounds, including 9 on the offensive glass, giving the Wings second-chance opportunities that helped offset Seattle’s individual brilliance. The Wings’ ability to sustain their effort through an extra period — while continuing to shoot efficiently and protect the ball — ultimately made the difference.
The game required overtime to settle, a testament to how evenly matched these two teams were on the night. Seattle had every opportunity to close it out in regulation, particularly with Malonga’s 37-point, 12-rebound effort anchoring the home side, but Dallas found a way to answer each Storm surge and then deliver the decisive blow when it mattered most in the extra frame.
The Wings leave Seattle with a hard-earned road win, while the Storm will look back on this one with frustration, knowing their star center gave them everything she had and it still wasn’t quite enough.
