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Where to watch WNBA Playoffs Round 1: Wings vs Sky

By Jummy Aowookade

EVERETT, WASHINGTON - JUNE 06: Arike Ogunbowale #24 of the Dallas Wings celebrates with teammates Isabelle Harrison #20 and Moriah Jefferson #4 after making the game-winning basket during the final seconds of play to defeat the Seattle Storm 68-67 at Angel of the Winds Arena on June 06, 2021 in Everett, Washington. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images)
EVERETT, WASHINGTON - JUNE 06: Arike Ogunbowale #24 of the Dallas Wings celebrates with teammates Isabelle Harrison #20 and Moriah Jefferson #4 after making the game-winning basket during the final seconds of play to defeat the Seattle Storm 68-67 at Angel of the Winds Arena on June 06, 2021 in Everett, Washington. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images) /
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The WNBA playoffs kick off Thursday night with a pair of single-elimination Round 1 games. The first of those games will be the seventh-seed Dallas Wings facing off against the sixth-seed Chicago Sky in Chicago for a spot into the next round.

After a tightly contested win-and-get-in game against the Los Angeles Sparks (12-20), the Dallas Wings (14-18) crept into the playoffs behind star Arike Ogunbowale, as the young upstart team hoping to upset the field. Ogunbowale and the Wings will face off against the seasoned Chicago Sky (16-16) that features some of the game’s best in Kahleah Cooper and Candace Parker.

What to watch for in the WNBA playoffs matchup between the Wings and Sky

Against the Sparks, Dallas continued their season-long trend of trusting in their two prominent scorers — Ogunbowale and third-year guard Marina Mabrey; the duo combined for 36 points as they staved off a fourth-quarter comeback effort by Los Angeles. Allisha Gray scored 12 points, grabbed seven boards and had three steals in the win in addition to Isabelle Harrison’s 14 points.

Dallas finished the regular season as second in the league in field goal attempts and third in 3-point attempts, they’ll look to shoot early and often against the Sky. Ogunbowale, who was fifth in scoring this season at 18.7 points per game, will look to score in a variety of ways but should aim to get to the line as often as possible, where she shoots 86 percent. If she can put pressure on the Sky’s backcourt with her driving, she’ll be able to set up decent looks for her teammates.

The Sky and its veteran core have a variety of ways to attack Dallas. Alongside the duo of Cooper (14.5 points) and Parker (13.3 points, 8.4 rebounds, 4 assists) is this season’s assist leader, Courtney Vandersloot (8.6 per game) and former All-Stars Diamond DeShields (11 points) and Allie Quigley (13 points, 45 percent on 3-point attempts). Chicago will look to maximize their size, experience and sixth-ranked defense against the more gun-happy Wings.

Dallas won the season series against the Sky, 2-1 but are the under

How to live stream Wings-Sky

The Chicago Sky host the Dallas Wings on Thursday, Sep. 23, in Chicago at 7 pm ET. You can catch the game on ESPN2, FuboTV or stream it on the ESPN app.

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