The WNBA season tipped off with a bang on Saturday as the Dallas Wings edged the Indiana Fever in a 107-104 thriller that came down to the final seconds. In a game packed with star power and dramatic moments, it was the Wings who walked away victorious after Caitlin Clark's potential game-tying three-pointer rimmed out with just seven seconds left on the clock.
Arike Ogunbowale led the charge for Dallas with 22 points, showcasing the scoring prowess that has made her one of the league's most dynamic guards. She was joined in the 20-point club by Paige Bueckers, who poured in 20 points on an efficient 8-of-10 shooting, and Odyssey Sims, who also added 20 points while hitting 8 of 11 from the field. The Wings' offense was firing on all cylinders, shooting an impressive 59% from the field and 52% from beyond the arc.
For Indiana, it was a heartbreaking opener despite a stellar performance from Kelsey Mitchell, who led all scorers with 30 points. Rookie sensation Caitlin Clark finished with 20 points, seven assists, and five rebounds, but her five turnovers and the missed deep three in crunch time will be talking points. Aliyah Boston added 23 points in a strong showing, but the Fever couldn't overcome a crucial late-game sequence.
The turning point came with 9:09 remaining when Aziaha James converted a four-point play—sinking a three-pointer while being fouled—to put Dallas ahead 84-82. The Wings never trailed after that moment, holding off a furious Fever rally. Bueckers missed two free throws late, giving Indiana one last chance, but Clark's deep three rattled out, and Mitchell's buzzer-beater also missed the mark.
Jessica Shepard had a near triple-double in her Wings debut, finishing with 13 points, nine assists, and nine rebounds, while No. 1 draft pick Azzi Fudd contributed three points in 18 minutes off the bench.
In other WNBA action, the Phoenix Mercury delivered a statement win, blowing out the defending champion Las Vegas Aces 95-60 in a game that served as sweet revenge after being swept in last year's Finals. Alyssa Thomas led Phoenix with 20 points, while rookie Jovana Nogic scored all 19 of her points in the first half. The Aces, who celebrated their ring ceremony before the game, struggled mightily, with A'ja Wilson scoring 19 points in a losing effort. The Mercury's dominant performance marked their largest margin of victory since August 2024 and handed the Aces their worst defeat in nearly two years.