Minnesota Lynx defeat Dallas Wings 85-77 on the road

Minnesota Lynx defeated the Dallas Wings 85-77 on Sunday, June 28, 2026, claiming the result behind Natasha Howard’s all-around display of 21 points and 14 rebounds. Her control at both ends proved the pivotal moment in a fixture the Lynx largely dictated after a fast start in Arlington.

There were no goal scorers to track in the traditional sense in this Women’s National Basketball Association contest, but the early swing came from Minnesota’s sharp opening quarter. The Lynx put up 28 points in the first period while Dallas managed 16, immediately forcing the Wings to chase the match. That first-quarter gap ultimately gave the visitors the platform they needed to see out the result.

Dallas struggled to find consistent rhythm in the first half, adding only 13 points in the second quarter as Minnesota continued to move the ball well and control the tempo. The Lynx finished with 19 assists to Dallas’ 13, and that edge in creation showed up throughout the fixture. Olivia Miles was particularly important in that respect, supplying eight assists and helping Minnesota get into cleaner attacking positions.

To Dallas’ credit, the home side responded after the interval. Paige Bueckers led that push with 25 points and four assists, while Jessica Shepard gave the Wings a strong presence on the glass with 16 rebounds. A 25-point third quarter gave Dallas a route back into the contest, trimming the deficit and turning the closing stretch into a more competitive affair.

Still, every time the Wings threatened to shift the momentum, Minnesota had an answer. Howard’s efficiency and work on the boards kept second chances to a minimum, and the Lynx’s superior shooting numbers made the difference. Minnesota shot 43.1 percent from the floor and 39.1 percent from three-point range, compared with Dallas at 37.8 percent overall and 30.4 percent from beyond the arc.

Key performers

Howard was the standout for the Lynx, posting 21 points, 14 rebounds and three steals in a complete performance that set the tone for the road side. Miles’ eight assists gave Minnesota control in possession, while the Lynx also benefited from balanced scoring and timely perimeter shooting, knocking down nine three-pointers.

For Dallas, Bueckers once again looked like the player most capable of carrying the attack, finishing with a match-high 25 points. Shepard’s 16 rebounds kept possessions alive and helped the Wings remain in touch despite the difficult opening half.

NerdSports Stat: Minnesota’s +12 margin from the three-point line, created by hitting nine triples to Dallas’ seven on identical 23 attempts, accounted for the full eight-point winning margin and then some.

This result strengthens Minnesota’s excellent road form, improving the Lynx to 15-4 overall and 9-1 away from home. Dallas drop to 11-8 and will feel the missed opportunity of a slow first half more than the final quarter. For the table, the Lynx continue to look like one of the league’s pace-setters, while the Wings remain in the playoff conversation but need cleaner starts in their next fixture.

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