Dallas vs Minnesota   Results, Match Player Stats & Records

For one, it is a Commissioner's Cup matchup, with the Wings (7-3, 2-0 Commissioner's Cup) and Lynx (9-2, 3-0) looking to notch a win in the in-season tourney that ends later this month with a $500,000 prize pool.

For another, the game represents the latest homecoming for Wings star Paige Bueckers. She grew up in nearby Hopkins, Minn., where she led Hopkins High School to a 32-0 record and a state title in 2019, and she remains hugely popular in the area.

This year, the rivalry also features the Nos. 1 and 2 overall picks in the most recent WNBA draft, with Azzi Fudd of the Wings going up against Olivia Miles of the Lynx.

Fudd said she is excited to face one of the top teams in the league. This is the teams' second meeting of the season after the Lynx held on for a 90-86 road win on May 14.

The Lynx have won seven games in a row. Their last loss was May 17 against Chicago.

"This is going to be a really fun matchup," Fudd said. "Because it's the Commissioner's Cup, and also because of the last game. They're a really good team, so I'm looking forward to it, for sure."

Both rookies have given their fan bases reason for excitement.

Miles leads the Lynx with 17.2 points and 6.4 assists per game. She has stepped into the starting point guard role from Day 1, and she quickly has developed chemistry with forward Natasha Howard in the pick-and-roll game.

Howard is averaging 17.1 points per game, tied with Courtney Williams for second on the team. Howard also leads Minnesota with 7.6 rebounds per game.

Fudd has appeared in nine games, including three starts, for the Wings. She is averaging 12 points per game while shooting 56.3% from the field.

Bueckers leads Dallas with 18.3 points per contest. She is shooting 49.3% overall and 40.9% from beyond the arc.

Arike Ogunbowale is next with 14.8 points per game, and former Lynx forward Jessica Shepard has put up averages of 13.5 points, 11.4 rebounds and 5.8 assists.

Lynx coach Cheryl Reeve always emphasizes the importance of playing tough defense, and this season is no exception. One statistic she wants her team to achieve is limiting the opponent to less than 40% shooting from the field.

The plan worked to perfection in Minnesota's most recent game, an 88-68 win over the Seattle Storm. The Lynx held Seattle to 34.9% shooting.

"It's been a factor for most teams that I've been around, maybe not as celebrated as it is here," Reeve said. "What we're trying to impart to (the players) is it's pretty obvious what our path is to success."

Minnesota is 4-2 at home this season. Dallas is 4-1 on the road.

--Field Level Media