5 video games into the 2024 WNBA season, the Dallas Wings, regardless of a few key accidents, are 3-2 and presently have the fifth-best document within the league. They’ve gotten off to this begin due to Arike Ogunbowale’s scoring and Sevgi Uzgun’s passing.
Arike Ogunbowale, the crème de la crème
Ogunbowale has been an offensive goddess for years, and 2024 is not going to be an exception. Her dribbling prowess is one thing to marvel at. She is consistently transferring, nevertheless it’s not simply dribbling for the sake of it. Her motion is all the time with goal and leads in the direction of ahead progress, even when it would not seem that means initially.
To start out the 12 months, she’s main the WNBA in scoring, averaging 28.8 factors per recreation, and has already had large scoring outbursts, together with her 40-point recreation versus the Phoenix Mercury.
So long as Ogunbowale is on the ground, the Wings can beat any crew on any given evening. She’s a game-breaker, a cheat code and the primary motive the Wings have began off nicely.
One other rookie taking cost
Ogunbowale is the important thing, however different gamers need to carry out nicely for it to matter sufficient for Dallas to win. 5 video games in, Sevgi Uzun is one other participant from this rookie class who’s taking part in like a seasoned veteran. She’s averaging 6.0 factors, 2.4 rebounds and 5.8 assists per recreation.
Her passing has been excellent. She’s making superior reads and passing the ball into tight home windows. Many instances, it seems to be like nothing is accessible, and she or he finds a method to lead a participant to a simple basket.
Rookies like Caitlin Clark, Angel Reese and Cameron Brink will get a lot of the consideration, and deservedly so, however Uzun may find yourself taking part in essential minutes on a championship contender, which not one of the different shining rookies can say.
Well being is wealth
The season continues to be in its early levels, however accidents already are a significant factor. Natasha Howard stays out with damaged foot, together with her preliminary restoration timeline projected to be three to 6 weeks. And not using a participant of Howard’s caliber, along with the absence of Satou Sabally, who isn’t anticipated to make her 2024 debut till August due to a shoulder damage, it could possibly be onerous for Dallas to proceed to tread water, but when they do, they will be in prime place to go on a run when each are again.
To achieve success within the WNBA, you want two issues: talent and luck. The Wings have already been unfortunate with key accidents, however their talent has allowed them to win three of their first 5 video games. Now, let’s examine if they’ll register key wins towards their subsequent three opponents: the Connecticut Solar, Minnesota Lynx and Las Vegas Aces.
