Smith returns as Wings stifle Melbourne's Storm

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Dallas Wings 79 def. Seattle Storm 56

Australian Opals centre Alanna Smith's Dallas Wings suffocated Opals teammate Jade Melbourne's Seattle Storm to a season-low 56 points in a 79-56 victory at College Park Center.

Smith came off the bench after missing the Wings' last game because of illness.

Dallas led from the opening quarter, taking a 16-10 advantage after the first period before extending the margin to 36-25 by halftime. The Wings then broke the game open with a 21-12 third quarter to build a 20-point lead and never allowed Seattle back into the contest.

Rookie guard Aziaha James sparked the Wings from the bench with a game-high 18 points on 7-from-14 shooting, while Paige Bueckers filled the box score with 10 points, nine rebounds and seven assists. Dallas finished with five players scoring at least nine points and controlled the glass 48-36.

For Seattle, Flau'jae Johnson was the lone bright spot offensively, posting 16 points and 10 rebounds for a double-double. The Storm struggled to generate quality looks, shooting just 20-from-61 (33%) from the field and 4-from-19 (21%) from three-point range.

🇦🇺 Australians

Jade Melbourne (Seattle Storm) started at point guard and finished with five points, three rebounds and one assist in 25 minutes. The Victorian shot 2-from-8 from the field and 1-from-3 from beyond the arc as Seattle's offence struggled throughout the night.

Ezi Magbegor (Seattle Storm) did not play and was listed as DNP – Right Foot.

Alanna Smith (Dallas Wings) contributed five points, four rebounds and three assists off the bench in 22 minutes. Smith finished with a +10 plus-minus as Dallas improved to 6-3 on the season.

By the Numbers

• Dallas won the rebound battle 48-36.
• The Wings recorded 19 assists on 29 field goals.
• Seattle committed 17 turnovers.
• Dallas outscored Seattle 43-31 in the second half.
• The Storm shot just 33% from the field and 21% from three.
• Dallas improved to 6-3, while Seattle dropped to 3-7.

The victory continued Dallas' strong early-season form, while Seattle's offensive struggles deepened with Magbegor sidelined and the Storm unable to find consistent scoring outside Johnson.

Minnesota Lynx 111 def. Phoenix Mercury 77

The Minnesota Lynx overwhelmed the Phoenix Mercury from the opening tip, building a 67-40 halftime lead before cruising to a 34-point road victory.

Courtney Williams starred with 30 points on 13-from-20 shooting, while rookie Olivia Miles added 19 points and nine assists. Minnesota shot 44-from-69 (64%) from the field and dished 27 assists.

For Phoenix, Kahleah Copper led the scoring with 18 points, while Noemie Brochant contributed 11 points.

🇦🇺 Sami Whitcomb (Phoenix Mercury): Did not play (left knee).

Minnesota improved to 7-2 with its fifth consecutive road win, while Phoenix fell to 2-8 after conceding a season-high 111 points.