The Dallas Wings (27-17) defeated the Seattle Storm (8-36) 103-91 on September 24, 2026, behind a historic triple-double from Jessica Shepard and strong scoring from Paige Bueckers, setting up a first-round playoff matchup against the Golden State Valkyries.
The Dallas Wings concluded their regular season with a decisive 103–91 victory over the Seattle Storm on Wednesday, September 24, 2026. The win solidified Dallas’s position as the fourth seed in the Western Conference Division, while simultaneously ending Seattle’s campaign with an eighth-place finish and an 8-36 record. The decisive factor was Dallas’s ability to leverage superior depth and balanced offensive production, highlighted by a triple-double from Jessica Shepard, which overwhelmed a Seattle roster decimated by injuries.
Dallas Wings Performance
Dallas entered the contest needing a win to secure favorable playoff positioning, and they delivered a comprehensive team effort that showcased their versatility. The Wings’ offense flowed efficiently, driven by two standout performances that kept the pressure on Seattle throughout the evening. Paige Bueckers led the scoring charge for Dallas with 25 points, providing the primary offensive spark needed to break down the Storm’s defense.
However, it was Jessica Shepard who defined the game’s narrative. Shepard recorded a triple-double, tallying 20 points, 11 rebounds, and 12 assists. This mark her sixth triple-double of the season, leading the entire WNBA in that statistical category. Her ability to facilitate the offense while contributing significantly on the boards allowed Dallas to control the tempo and limit Seattle’s transition opportunities. The combination of Bueckers’ scoring and Shepard’s all-around play created mismatches that Seattle could not adequately address, resulting in a comfortable 12-point margin of victory.
Seattle Storm Performance
For Seattle, the game served as a somber conclusion to a difficult 2026 season. Despite playing at home, the Storm struggled to find consistency, finishing with a franchise-low 8-36 record. The most glaring issue for Seattle was the absence of key rotational players; eight individuals were listed as “Out” for the contest, including Taina Mair, Zia Cooke, Katie Lou Samuelson, Ezi Magbegor, Alysha Clark, Alanna Smith, Azzi Fudd, and Costanza Verona. This massive depletion of the roster severely impacted their defensive integrity and rebounding capability.
In the absence of this supporting cast, Dominique Malonga stepped up as the primary offensive leader for Seattle. Malonga finished with a game-high 29 points and added 8 rebounds, carrying the scoring load for the Storm. Natisha Hiedeman also provided significant value, dishing out a game-high 14 assists to keep the offense moving. Despite these individual efforts, the lack of depth proved insurmountable. The Wings exploited the gaps in Seattle’s lineup, particularly on the interior, allowing Dallas to score freely and maintain control of the game from start to finish.
Turning Point
The turning point of the game can be traced to the Wings’ execution in the paint and their ability to capitalize on Seattle’s injury-related vulnerabilities. While Seattle attempted to rally through Malonga’s scoring, Dallas responded with consistent contributions from Shepard and Bueckers. Shepard’s triple-double performance was not just a statistical milestone but a tactical masterclass; her 12 assists ensured that even when Seattle focused on stopping Bueckers or Malonga, Dallas had other reliable options to generate high-percentage shots. This balance prevented Seattle from mounting any sustained defensive stops, effectively sealing the game before the final quarter.
What It Means Next
This victory has profound implications for both franchises as they look toward the postseason and the offseason. For Dallas, the win secures their status as a top-four seed and provides momentum heading into the playoffs. The Wings are now set to face the Golden State Valkyries (32-12) in the first round, beginning on September 28, 2026. Although Dallas enters as the lower seed, their confidence is bolstered by Shepard’s dominance and the knowledge that they can compete with higher-ranked teams. The upcoming series will test whether Dallas’s balanced attack can overcome the Valkyries’ superior regular-season record.
Conversely, for Seattle, the loss marks the end of an 8-36 season. The team must now focus on evaluating their core players, specifically Malonga and Hiedeman, amidst a challenging rebuild. With the bracket set and the semifinals scheduled for October 4, the Storm will spend the coming weeks analyzing their performance and addressing the roster issues that contributed to their struggles. The regular season is officially over, and both teams will shift their focus entirely to the post-season schedule or offseason planning.
- Jessica Shepard recorded her sixth triple-double of the season with 20 points, 11 rebounds, and 12 assists.
- Dominique Malonga led all scorers in the game with 29 points and 8 rebounds for Seattle.
- Dallas secured the fourth seed in the Western Conference, setting up a playoff series against the Golden State Valkyries.
- Eight players were listed as “Out” for Seattle, significantly impacting their defensive capabilities.
- Paige Bueckers scored 25 points, providing crucial offensive support alongside Shepard.
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