The energy was electric in Austin on Sunday as the Dallas Wings made history, defeating the defending WNBA champion Las Vegas Aces 101-84 in the league's first-ever game in the Texas capital. A sold-out crowd of 10,179 fans packed the Moody Center, proving once again that women's basketball is on an unstoppable rise.
From the opening tip, the Wings came out firing, racing to a commanding 35-20 lead after the first quarter. Their dominance on the glass was a key factor, outrebounding the Aces 35-25 and setting the tone for a statement win against the league's reigning dynasty.
Rookie guard Aziaha James led the scoring charge for Dallas with 18 points on 6-for-13 shooting, showcasing the depth and talent that has fans buzzing about this Wings squad. Meanwhile, reigning WNBA MVP A'ja Wilson did her best to keep Las Vegas in the game, dropping 19 points on an efficient 5-for-9 from the field.
Five Dallas players finished in double figures, including former UConn star Azzi Fudd, who added 12 points on 4-for-10 shooting in her first appearance in Austin. Even while running on the Longhorn logo clad in burnt orange, Fudd couldn't help but appreciate the atmosphere. "I thought the arena was amazing and the crowd was great," she said. "There was a lot of energy, and the fans made it a fun environment to be in."
Veteran Jessica Shepard chipped in six points and five rebounds, and she echoed Fudd's sentiments about the historic night. "It just shows the growth of the WNBA and the excitement around the Wings this year," she said, noting that a preseason sellout away from home is "awesome" for the league's momentum.
The Wings typically play their home games at the 7,000-seat College Park Center in Arlington, making the 10,000-plus turnout at Moody Center even more impressive. For context, last season's league-wide regular-season average attendance was a record 11,148 fans per game, so packing in this crowd for a preseason exhibition is a clear win for the WNBA's growing popularity.
The success of the event also reignites conversations about Austin as a potential home for an expansion franchise. Longhorns legend Kevin Durant, who is part of an ownership group pushing for a team in the city, sees nights like this as proof of concept. "We've always had major support here in Austin for women's basketball," Durant told reporters. "This city is prime for basketball, but especially women's basketball at the highest level. I don't think we'll stop trying to bring that here to Austin."
With Moody Center capable of seating up to 15,000 fans when the upper level is utilized, the appetite for the WNBA in Austin is undeniable. For now, the Wings have given the city a thrilling first taste of what could be a lasting love affair.