Paige Bueckers changed everything as the Chicago Sky blew a late lead originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The Dallas Wings looked finished entering the fourth quarter Saturday night. Then they produced the kind of closing stretch that can change a season.
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Dallas erased a 14-point deficit in the final period and stunned the Chicago Sky 93-92 at College Park Center, completing one of the wildest finishes of the WNBA season. The Wings improved to 10-6 and already matched their win total from all of last season.
Chicago controlled most of the night and led 71-57 heading into the fourth behind Kamilla Cardoso, who finished with 26 points and nine rebounds. The Sky still held a five-point lead in the final 36 seconds before Dallas flipped the game in an instant.
Paige Bueckers started the comeback’s final push. She drilled a three while drawing a foul from Natasha Cloud, then made the free throw to cut the deficit to 92-91. On Chicago’s next possession, Li Yueru forced an over-and-back turnover from Cardoso, giving Dallas one more chance to steal the game.
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Li delivered the decisive blow. The Wings’ backup center drew a foul with 12.5 seconds left and calmly hit both free throws, giving Dallas its first lead of the night at 93-92. Chicago still had two chances to answer, but Jacy Sheldon and Azurá Stevens both missed before the horn.
Jessica Shepard led Dallas with 21 points and eight rebounds, scoring 17 after halftime. Bueckers added 19 points, eight assists and seven rebounds in another big late-game moment. Dallas scored 36 points in the fourth quarter alone, turning what looked like a routine Sky win into a statement comeback.
