'We Just Played With Intensity': Dallas Wings Smother Atlanta Dream Behind Defensive Grit and Double-Double from Li Yueru

Head coach Chris Koclanes praised Li’s response in the matchup: “She did not back down. She is just incredibly smart and physical and just really good with her positioning. Really proud that she stepped up and answered that call.”

Koclanes said the defensive effort was the team’s most complete of the season, pointing to the Wings’ ability to sustain intensity for all four quarters while holding Atlanta—one of the WNBA’s top offensive teams—to just 55 points on 23.4% shooting. He emphasized the team’s urgency on closeouts, physicality in the paint, and discipline in chasing shooters off the three-point line, noting that Dallas limited the Dream to just 10 points in the first quarter and under 20 in every period.

“That effort tonight was just— we had a different intensity from the get-go,” he said. “To hold them under 20 points in every quarter? That’s a crazy effort. I know they missed shots they normally make, but we had an intensity about us to really compete inside and out.”

Sustaining Pressure and Contributions from All Angles

The Dream battled back in the second quarter behind Rhyne Howard’s eight points, trimming a 10-point Wings lead down to two with just over a minute left in the half. But a strong close sent Dallas into the break with a 31-29 advantage.

In the third quarter, Dallas opened on a 9-1 run sparked by balanced scoring from Bueckers, Smith, Ogunbowale, and Li. The Wings never let Atlanta get closer than five the rest of the game.

Ogunbowale finished with 21 points on 6-of-14 shooting and was a perfect 9-of-9 from the free throw line. Bueckers added 12 points, five rebounds, and four assists in her 32 minutes. She played just enough to help Dallas maintain control, with the team continuing to monitor guard minutes during a condensed stretch.

“You let, you try to think through it ahead of time,” Koclanes said of the rotation. “But then the ball tips, and you never know what’s about to transpire. I thought we did a good job tonight managing minutes, and when you get the kind of contribution from the bench that we did, that makes it a lot easier.”

Bench Answers the Call

Dallas’ reserves outscored Atlanta’s bench 21-5. Aziaha James chipped in 11 points, while Myisha Hines-Allen added eight and hit two threes. JJ Quinerly also provided energy in her 11 minutes, pulling down three rebounds and helping defensively.

“Shoutout to Myisha,” Koclanes said. “We make a change, we go in a different direction, and to respond the way she did was just fantastic. Aya [James] was the spark plug, and I thought JJ gave fantastic minutes tonight too.”

Koclanes also pointed to Charles’ defensive presence and Li’s rebounding as tone-setters, highlighting Charles’ energy and versatility in switching assignments early, especially her effort guarding Allisha Gray, and praising Li’s positioning, physicality, and ability to clean the glass against elite post competition. He credited both players with elevating the team’s collective intensity from the opening tip.

“We talked about making them feel us,” he said. “Our growth opportunity is still fouling—we put them on the line 25 times—but I liked our fight.”

Offensive Chemistry Continues to Build

Postgame, Ogunbowale praised Yueru’s growing confidence and impact, noting how quickly she’s adapted despite joining the team midseason. She highlighted Yueru’s double-double as a key factor in establishing the team’s energy, citing her scoring, rebounding, and screening as essential to the Wings’ early rhythm. Ogunbowale emphasized that Yueru’s intelligence and toughness gave Dallas a needed interior anchor and helped set the tone in the win.

“She’s just an amazing player,” Ogunbowale said. “Obviously, she hasn’t been with us for long, but she’s a really smart player and she’s picking it up quick. For her to get the start and come out with a double-double—she really got us going. She was scoring, rebounding, setting great screens. I’m glad she’s on our team.”

Asked about her comfort level, Yueru pointed to her teammates and coaches, crediting them for creating an environment where she feels supported and able to grow. She explained that whether she’s on the court, on the bench, or in practice, the staff and players are constantly helping her adjust to the team’s system and expectations. Yueru said their guidance has allowed her to learn quickly, stay confident, and focus on doing the right things in the right moments to help the team succeed.

“I feel the most comfortable because my coach and teammates try to help me with everything—on the court, on the bench, in practice,” Yueru said. “They teach me a lot, and I try to learn quickly and do the right things.”

Ogunbowale also spoke about the progress of rookie point guard Paige Bueckers, emphasizing her maturity and poise in leading the team despite the challenges that come with being a first-year player at one of the toughest positions in the league. She described Bueckers as “elite” and praised the way she has handled pressure throughout the season, noting that it’s rare for a rookie guard to manage the pace of the game so effectively. Ogunbowale credited Bueckers for guiding the offense, making smart decisions, and continuing to grow into her leadership role with confidence.

“Everybody knows Paige is elite,” Ogunbowale said. ” She’s very mature for her age, especially being a point guard in this league. Being a rookie point guard is even tougher. I think she’s handled the pressure really well and just led us from that position.”

Looking Ahead

With three wins in the last four games and five straight competitive outings, the Wings are trending upward and beginning to show signs of cohesion under Koclanes. After a difficult start to the season marked by injuries and lineup adjustments, Dallas has found rhythm through defensive consistency and balanced contributions across the roster.

Koclanes credited the team’s resilience and growth, noting that players are buying into their identity and competing every night regardless of who’s on the floor. The recent stretch, he said, reflects a group that is learning to win in different ways while leaning on depth and collective effort.

“We’ve put ourselves in a position to win five straight games,” Koclanes said. “We’ve done it a variety of ways with different combinations. I’m proud of this group for sticking with it and really buying in. Our identity is our competitive depth. Everyone can contribute on any night.”

Dallas next hosts the Indiana Fever at American Airlines Center on Friday in one of the most anticipated games of the WNBA season. The national broadcast (6:30 p.m. CT on ION) will feature the last three No. 1 picks in the draft, including Bueckers and Indiana’s Caitlin Clark.

“We trust each other and trust coach,” Yueru said. “We’ll do more good things and keep going. We hope we can get more.”