No. 5 Dallas is finding its way, pulling off one of the season’s more improbable victories in Saturday’s 93-92 comeback win over No. 13 Chicago.
Dallas overcame a 14-point fourth-quarter deficit, as Li Yueru sank two free-throws with 12.5 seconds left to secure the Wings’ first and final lead.
“We were just trying to attack that way and just chip away, not hit any home runs, but one possession at a time, dig in defensively, get what we want, execute offensively, and just keep huddling,” guard Paige Bueckers said postgame.
The matchup highlighted two teams moving in different directions, as Dallas won seven of its last 10 games while the Sky dropped 10 of its last 11.
Chicago questioned the WNBA officiating after its latest collapse, with center Kamilla Cardoso and guard Sydney Taylor both fouling out late in the game.
“Did we make some mistakes down the stretch? Of course,” said head coach Tyler Marsh. “At the same time, we can’t have those types of calls called on us and then the non-calls go against us.”
Where to Watch WNBA Games Today
Chicago attempts to right the ship against No. 15 Connecticut tonight at 7 PM ET, before Dallas visits No. 14 Seattle at 10 PM ET, live on WNBA League Pass.
The No. 9 Sparks haven't given up the fight, with LA sitting just outside the 2025 WNBA playoff picture ahead of Wednesday night's clash with a No. 11 Dallas Wings side facing postseason elimination.
The Sparks have had an up-and-down season, arriving at a 16-18 record with six wins in their last 10 games.
"We control our destiny, so what do we do with it?" LA head coach Lynne Roberts said on Tuesday. "And I love that we're in that spot, but we'll see how competitive we are."
"Obviously we feel like there's some games that we should have and could have won at the beginning of the season early on, but [you] can't change the past," echoed Sparks forward Dearica Hamby. "We have good momentum right now still. We're still in good position to make the playoffs, so just take it a game at a time."
Meanwhile, Dallas will try to stave off joining the last-place Connecticut Sun in playoff elimination, though their draft lottery odds rise with every loss.
The Wings will be even more shorthanded on Wednesday after losing Li Yueru to a season-ending ACL sprain on Friday, with the center now joining star guard Arike Ogunbowale, who is suffering from knee tendinitis, on the sideline.
How to watch the Dallas Wings vs. LA Sparks on Wednesday
The No. 9 Sparks will host the No. 11 Wings at 10 PM ET on Wednesday, with live coverage airing on WNBA League Pass.
Li Yueru has been activated to the Chicago Sky’s roster after arriving in the city from China. As a result, the team has released Anneli Maley from her hardship exemption contract.
According to the Chicago Sun-Times’ Annie Costabile, Li was practicing with the team Tuesday morning.
Li Yueru has arrived in Chicago and is at Sky practice this AM.
— Annie Costabile (@AnnieCostabile) May 24, 2022
In April, Costabile had reported that Li had not yet been approved to play in the WNBA by the Chinese Basketball Federation, throwing a wrench into the Sky’s plans. The team acquired her rights from Los Angeles in a trade this offseason and then signed her to a rookie-scale contract.
At the time, head coach James Wade called the situation “fluid,” while Li’s agent, Mike Cound, said that she “definitely wants to come to Chicago.”
Li now joins the Sky, although it’s unknown when she will make her game debut. She could make an immediate impact, as she averaged 14.8 points and 8.3 rebounds for China in the Tokyo Olympics.
The Sky are currently off to a 3-2 start, with Finals MVP Kahleah Copper making her return just one game ago against the Washington Mystics.
The Sky square off against the Indiana Fever at 8 p.m. ET Tuesday. Before the game, they will hold a ring ceremony and banner unveiling in honor of their 2021 WNBA championship.
Chinese basketball player Li Yueru may not play in the upcoming WNBA season, according to the Chicago Sun-Times.
China Sports Vision is reporting that Li has not been permitted to play in the WNBA by the Chinese Basketball Federation, according to the Sun-Times. Li’s agent, Mike Cound, has not received confirmation of the accuracy of the reports.
The last conversation between Cound, Li and Sky head coach and general manager James Wade happened about 10 days ago and, according to Cound, Li was excited to arrive in Chicago.
“Yueru definitely wants to come to Chicago right now,” Cound said.
But Wade called the situation “fluid.”
“The most important thing is getting Li here with [the Chinese Basketball Federation’s] blessing, knowing that we’re going to add to her growth as a basketball player that represents China,” he said.
Li’s rights were traded to the Sky by Los Angeles in exchange for Lexie Brown. From there, the Sky signed her to a rookie-scale contract.
Training camp begins Sunday, but according to the Sun-Times, the soonest Li could arrive in the United States is next month, if she has the approval of the basketball federation.