SportsSportsThe Dallas Wings delivered a statement win Thursday night, upsetting the formidable Las Vegas Aces 95-87 in a highly anticipated early-season WNBA contest. This victory, played out on their home court at College Park Center, signals a serious challenge from Dallas in a season already full of high stakes and competitive matchups.
The May 28, 2026 matchup, broadcast nationally on Amazon Prime Video, was far from a routine affair. Tip-off was set for 8 p.m. ET (5 p.m. PT) in Arlington, Texas, with both teams bringing strong records into the game. The Aces, a powerhouse squad known for their offensive might, arrived with a 4-2 record, while the Wings, showing significant early-season form, stood at 4-3, having won four of their last five games. The final score of 95-87 in favor of Dallas underscored the intense battle and the Wings' ability to close out against a top-tier opponent, marking a pivotal moment in the young season.
The Las Vegas Aces entered the game as offensive juggernauts, setting the pace for the entire league. They led the WNBA in field goal percentage at an impressive 50.4% and dominated defensively in the paint with 7.8 blocks per game. Their scoring prowess was equally notable, ranking second with 91.7 points per game, and they were tied for third in assists, averaging 22.3 per contest. Their roster boasted significant talent, led by four-time league MVP A'ja Wilson, who was also the preseason AP Player of the Year and held the distinction of being the WNBA's highest-paid player with a $5 million supermax contract extension over three years.
Supporting Wilson were other key players nearing personal and franchise milestones. Guard Jackie Young was on the cusp of Aces franchise history, needing just seven points to surpass Becky Hammon for the No. 3 spot in the team's all-time scoring. Veteran Chelsea Gray, at 34 years old, was also nearing a career achievement, requiring 19 points to join an exclusive club of 40 WNBA players with 4,500 career points. Reserve guard Chennedy Carter had been a dynamic force off the bench, averaging 20 points per game and aggressively attacking the paint on 83% of her attempts, converting at a highly efficient 66.2% rate. In her previous outing, Carter dropped an impressive 27 points on 9-for-11 shooting. However, the Aces were notably without guard Dana Evans, who was sidelined due to a left leg injury, presenting an additional challenge for the visiting team.
The Dallas Wings, playing in front of their home crowd, had themselves been on a roll, securing four wins in their last five outings, including a notable road victory against the defending champion New York Liberty, showcasing their ability to compete with the league's best. Dallas led the WNBA in assists, dishing out 23.4 per game, a testament to their fluid ball movement, and showed efficiency from beyond the arc, ranking third in three-point percentage at .362. They also maintained a respectable fifth-place standing in overall field goal shooting at .462.
Their roster featured 2025 WNBA Rookie of the Year Paige Bueckers, who was averaging 19.3 points, 5.0 assists, and 3.0 rebounds prior to the game, shooting an efficient 52.2% from the field and 48.3% from long range. Despite recent injury concerns from a