The Dallas Wings and Phoenix Mercury will try to get back on the winning track when they square off on Wednesday in the first of a two-game mini-series between the teams in Arlington, Texas.

The Wings (3-3) head home after an 80-74 loss at Connecticut on Sunday. Dallas got 26 points and 14 rebounds from Satou Sabally in the setback, while Crystal Dangerfield added 13 points before being forced from the game with an ankle injury in the third quarter. Dangerfield’s status for Wednesday is unclear.

Dallas was within four points with 9 seconds to play but would get no closer.

Natasha Howard scored 11 points and Veronica Burton had 10 for the Wings, who lost their second straight game. Star guard Arike Ogunbowale was limited to eight points on 3-of-16 shooting from the floor.

“You’ve got to embrace what the defense does and she’s surrounded by some incredible players,” Dallas coach Latricia Trammell said about Ogunbowale, who had six assists. “… Satou (Sabally) double digits, Natasha (Howard) double digits, Crystal (Dangerfield) double digits, Veronica (Burton) double digits. It’s a team effort.”

The Mercury (1-3) arrive after a 99-93 home loss in overtime to Los Angeles on Friday. Brittney Griner led Phoenix with 24 points and 11 rebounds while Diana Taurasi and Sophie Cunningham scored 19 points apiece, Sug Sutton had 12 and Michaela Onyenwere hit for 10.

Taurasi’s 3-pointer with 3:23 to play in the extra period gave the Mercury their final lead. Los Angeles scored the next seven points and held on for the win. Phoenix had 21 turnovers that led to 16 points for the Sparks.

“There were points where we could’ve pulled away and we just didn’t quite do it (Friday),” Phoenix coach Vanessa Nygaard said. “Turnovers were an issue for us, some unforced ones, some off-ball ones. We just got to make sure we clean that up. I think it is a game we should’ve won in regulation and it was a tough loss for us.”

The teams will also play on Friday in Arlington.

–Field Level Media