Eyeing sixth straight win, Wings out to extend Sparks' skid

The Dallas Wings will be rested and ready as they try to win their sixth straight game in a clash with the Los Angeles Sparks on Sunday afternoon in Arlington, Texas.

The Wings (16-8) return to action after a seven-day break created by a postponement of their scheduled game against the New York Liberty on Thursday. The delay, created when the Liberty's plane experienced mechanical issues that kept them from getting to Dallas, pushed that contest to Monday in Arlington, meaning the Wings will be forced into games on back-to-back days.

Dallas' most recent outing was a gritty 96-91 win over Chicago on July 12, as three Wings players amassed double-doubles in the same game for the first time since July 31, 2018 and for only the third time in team history.

Dallas' five-game winning streak is its longest since the 2023 season (the most recent time the Wings have made the postseason). A win would earn Dallas its most consecutive victories since the 2015 campaign when it forged eight straight early in the year and then six in a row before bowing out in the first round of the playoffs.

"It's a ‘we-over-me' mentality," Wings star guard Paige Bueckers said about her team's overall improvement and recent play. "And I think part of that, too, is having a really deep team and a really competitive team and so many people that can contribute to winning basketball."

The Sparks (10-14) head to the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex for the finale of a four-contest road trip carrying a three-game losing streak, the latest a 96-82 decision to the Sky in Chicago on Friday. The loss spoiled Sparks star forward Nneka Ogwumike's milestone as she surpassed team legend Lisa Leslie as the franchise's all-time points leader. Ogwumike has 6,281 career points and counting.

"To be mentioned in (Leslie's) company is kind of surreal," Ogwumike said. "(Setting the record) hasn't quite hit. Maybe it'll hit after a win, but I'm very grateful to be in a position to be doing this in a Sparks jersey."

Ogwumike finished with 18 points and 12 rebounds, reaching double figures in points for the 10th consecutive outing. Dearica Hamby also had 18 points, and Erica Wheeler scored 14 for Los Angeles, which has dropped its last six road games.

The Sparks made only six of their 26 attempts from beyond the arc and committed 18 turnovers in Friday's loss. Star guard Kelsey Plum did not play because of a left leg injury.

Sunday's game is the second of three meetings this season. The Wings took the first contest 104-96 on June 5 in Los Angeles; the third game is set for Sept. 17 in Arlington.

--Field Level Media