A win tonight puts the Dallas Wings in the WNBA playoffs for the first time since 2023.
That is the Associated Press's math after Sunday's 92-70 victory over the Seattle Storm, which lifted Dallas to 22-16 and matched the club record for wins in a regular season. The Portland Fire (15-22) visit College Park Center at 7 p.m. CT.
NBA.com lists the tip at 8 p.m. ET. The team's game preview, carried on OurSports Central, has the broadcast on NBA TV nationally and KFAA locally.
Dallas Wings PR had already mapped the scenario Saturday, after Portland lost to the Toronto Tempo. A Tuesday win at College Park Center would lock a berth regardless of Sunday's result against Seattle, the club posted, in a note quoted by Athlon Sports. The Wings then beat the Storm anyway. The remaining question is whether they close it on the floor tonight.
Playing without the No. 1 pick
They will try to do it without Azzi Fudd. The 2026 No. 1 overall pick has not played since Aug. 5 against the Washington Mystics, NBC Connecticut reported from the team's announcement. On Aug. 19 the Wings said Fudd would undergo an arthroscopic procedure in Connecticut to treat lingering right-knee soreness and would start rehab right after.
The Athletic described the operation as season-ending and said Fudd would miss the rest of the season. NBC Connecticut, citing the same announcement, reported she will miss the remainder of the 2026 regular season. The club has not issued a later public update that resolves that difference.
Fudd averaged 13.1 points in 30 games and led WNBA rookies in steals at 1.73 per game, NBC Connecticut reported.
Aziaha James (leg) also sat out Sunday, the AP recap said.
Paige Bueckers, speaking after the Storm win, told Mavs Moneyball the group cannot play as if it is chasing a berth. "We want to play every game like it's a playoff game," she said. "But we can't play like we're trying to make the playoffs.
We have to play to our identity." Coach Jose Fernandez, in the same writeup, pointed past the clinch math: "Everything we want is ahead of us."
Split series, last meeting
Dallas and Portland are 1-1 this season. The Fire won in Portland on June 13, 84-83, when Emily Engstler hit a free throw with two seconds remaining, the AP reported. The Wings answered 101-97 on July 22, also in Portland.
Jessica Shepard posted 18 points, 15 rebounds, and 10 assists that night, Arike Ogunbowale scored 24, and Bueckers added 21, according to the AP recap carried by NBC 5.
