The Seattle Storm (7-30) face the Dallas Wings (21-16) on August 23, 2026. Dallas aims to build on Arike Ogunbowale’s season-high 32 points, while Seattle seeks a rare road win.
The Seattle Storm (7-30) visit the Dallas Wings (21-16) on August 23, 2026, in a Western Conference matchup with contrasting stakes. Dallas, fourth in the West, is fighting for playoff seeding, while Seattle, last in the conference, is looking to snap a rough stretch. The Wings enter as clear favorites, powered by Arike Ogunbowale’s season-high 32-point performance in their last game, but the Storm’s Dominique Malonga has emerged as a consistent double-double threat. Expect Dallas to control the pace and secure a much-needed win.
Seattle Storm: Rebuilding and Battling Injuries
The Storm have struggled all season, posting a 7-30 record and a dismal 1-16 mark in Western Conference play. Their most recent outing was a narrow 82-80 home loss to the Chicago Sky on August 16, a game that snapped Chicago’s six-game road losing streak. Rookie big Dominique Malonga led Seattle with 19 points and 13 rebounds, while Jade Melbourne dished out 6 assists. However, the team is dealing with significant injuries: Natisha Hiedeman, Skylar Diggins, and Rickea Jackson are all out, and DiJonai Carrington is day-to-day. This thin bench puts added pressure on Malonga and Melbourne to carry the load against a deeper Dallas squad.
Dallas Wings: Playoff Push and Key Contributors
The Wings are 21-16 and sit fourth in the West, coming off a 91-85 home win over the Indiana Fever on August 20. Arike Ogunbowale scored a season-high 32 points, and Jessica Shepard added a career-best 26 points with 8 rebounds. Paige Bueckers dished out 8 assists, though she had an off shooting night. Dallas is dealing with its own injury concerns: Azzi Fudd (season-ending knee surgery), Aziaha James, Costanza Verona, and Michelle Onyiah are all out. Despite this, the Wings have enough firepower to overwhelm a struggling Seattle defense, especially with Ogunbowale in rhythm.
Head-to-Head: Ogunbowale vs. Seattle’s Defense
The key matchup will be Arike Ogunbowale against Seattle’s defense, which has been porous all season. Ogunbowale’s ability to create her own shot and draw fouls makes her a nightmare for a team that has allowed opponents to score at will. On the other end, Seattle will need Malonga to replicate her double-double production against Dallas’s frontcourt, led by Jessica Shepard. The Storm’s thin rotation could also be a factor, especially on the second night of a back-to-back for Dallas, but the Wings’ home-court advantage and superior talent should prevail.
Prediction
Seattle’s road woes and injury list are too much to overcome against a playoff-bound Dallas team. The Wings should control the game from start to finish, with Ogunbowale leading the way. Look for Dallas to win by double digits, likely in the 90s, while Seattle struggles to keep pace.
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