Following an emotional, physical contest on Wednesday, the Dallas Wings are preparing for a rematch against the Phoenix Mercury on Friday night.

Dallas was victorious in the first contest of the season series, securing an 84-79 victory. The story of the game for Dallas was rebounding, as they outrebounded the Mercury 50-26. The 50 total boards was tied for the highest total so far during the WNBA season.

Fifteen of Dallas’ rebounds came on the offensive glass, the second highest total across the W this season. Ironically, the highest total was recorded by the Atlanta Dream on May 20th against the Wings. Dallas won both games, a sign of the Wings ability to win in different ways.

The Wings also translated those hustle plays into a significant advantage at the free throw line. Dallas shot 27 times from the charity stripe, compared to just 13 for Phoenix. While the Wings will hope to convert at a higher clip than 74.1%, the volume advantage was a significant factor in the contest.

Tonight also marks the annual Dallas Wings Pride Night. The Wings announced during the Wednesday game that today’s game is officially sold out, marking the first such occasion for the Wings this season.

While the evening will be a celebration, the action on the court figures to be intense. Wednesday was a physical battle akin to a prize fight. Dallas was the last team standing at the end, but now must turn around and do it all over again.

Satou Sabally tied for the game high with 24 points on Wednesday, continuing a remarkable stretch of basketball that finds her sitting third in scoring across the entire league. Sabally has scored more than 20 points in five of the seven games so far this season and also has five double-doubles.

Sabally took a number of physical shots in the game including a flagrant foul on a breakaway layup and a shot to the chin during a loose ball. When asked how she stayed poised, she said, “Self-talk in my head just to stay calm. They’re doing it for a reason.”

Another player looking to replicate success from Wednesday is rookie Maddy Siegrist. Siegrist, the third overall pick in the 2023 WNBA Draft, set career highs in nearly every statistical category. The rookie had 14 points, eight rebounds (including five offensive) and played 19 minutes. She finished positive-19 in those minutes.

“She just did an absolutely fantastic job,” said Wings Head Coach Latricia Trammell. “She will continue to keep her value up and continue to keep fighting for this team, and I was really impressed with her like I was since day one.”

A major key for Dallas will once again be protecting the paint. Kalani Brown fought hard against the Mercury on Wednesday and kept opponent Brittney Griner away from the basket. Griner still scored 24 points, but they were mostly on jump shots from the mid-range. The Wings will have to live with those shots, which are nearly impossible to defend, and hope Brown can keep up her effort around the rim. Most impressively, Brown pulled down 15 rebounds, compared to just four by Griner, and went to the line eight times.

After the game on Wednesday, Dallas now sits first in the entire league in rebounding and is playing at the fastest pace. While injuries have taken their toll, the team has managed to keep winning, due in large part to their ability to get stops and wear down opposing teams with energy and effort.

Wednesday was also a Commissioner’s Cup game, and the win brings the Wings to a 3-0 record in the Cup standings, second only to the undefeated Aces of Las Vegas. The Wings have raised $6,000 for the Dallas Chapter of the Sisters Network, an organization that works to support members of the African American Community who are impacted by Breast Cancer.

Following Friday’s game, the Wings will head to New York for a clash with the Liberty on Sunday, before returning to Dallas next week.