Portland FirevsDallas Wings
POR 78/DAL 96
Things to say
Dallas beat Portland 96-78 at home.
01
opener
Wings took care of business at home, 96-78. Never really close after the half. Portland just couldn't buy a bucket.
02
key player
Paige Bueckers ran an absolute clinic. 22 and 11 dimes, a straight-up double-double. She's the best rookie in the league, it's not even a debate.
03
hot take
Portland's a lottery team masquerading as a playoff hopeful. That 15-23 record is generous.
04
deep cut
Awak Kuier quietly ate them up on the glass, 12 boards. And Engstler grabbed 15 for Portland and it still didn't matter.
05
exit
Anyway, Wings are rolling. Curious to see if they can keep it up down the stretch.
The recap
Dallas handled business at home, running away with a 96-78 win over Portland that never really felt close. Paige Bueckers ran the show with 22 points and 11 dimes, an absolute clinic in floor generalship, while Awak Kuier cleaned the glass with 12 boards.
Portland just couldn't buy a bucket - Bridget Carleton's 14 led the way, and when your leading scorer barely cracks the teens, you're taking the L. Emily Engstler grabbed 15 rebounds trying to keep the Fire alive, but Dallas ate them up on both ends.