The Dallas Wings (4-3) are back above .500 after a close win over the Phoenix Mercury (1-4). Despite trailing for most of the game and struggling with their outside shooting (4-of-23 on 3-pointers), the Wings locked down on defense in the fourth quarter and finished the game on a 12-2 run to complete the comeback.
Though the Wings’ effort was characterized mainly by team stats — Dallas outrebounded Phoenix 50-26 and attempted 27 free throws to the Mercury’s 13 — they got a few standout performances as well, particularly in their frontcourt. Forward Satou Sabally recorded another huge double-double of 24 points and 10 rebounds and hit a trio of 3-pointers, continuing what has been a breakout season and raising her averages through seven games to 22.4 points, 10.6 rebounds, three assists and 1.9 steals per game. Sabally is also shooting a career-high from both 2-point (53.7 percent) and 3-point range (36.4 percent).
Center Kalani Brown also played a crucial role in the Wings’ victory. Signed using an emergency hardship exception in the wake of injuries to Diamond DeShields and Lou Lopez Sénéchal, Brown got the start against Brittney Griner and the Mercury and more than held her own, recording 17 points and 15 rebounds, both of which were career highs. While it…
