Champions don’t forget; they respond! Dallas had embarrassed the defending champs on national TV, and you could tell it lit a fire. Not only did the franchise have to call for a 40-minute meeting, but in the very next game, New York came in with one mission: redemption, and it showed.

Even without multiple key players, they finally had a breather after a month packed with travel. They walked in as the deserving favorites, and they played like it. Now the series is tied 1-1, setting the stage for their final regular-season clash. One game to take the edge, let’s see how things are looking.

Where to watch

Date: August 8, 2025

Time: 7:30 p.m. ET

Venue: College Park Center, Arlington, TX

Where to watch:

Broadcast: ION

Streaming: Fubo

Injury report

New York Liberty

• Breanna Stewart  – Out with a right knee bone bruise. No timetable for return.
• Kennedy Burke  – Out with a right calf strain.
• Nyara Sabally – Out, expected to miss at least two weeks due to knee discomfort.

Dallas Wings

• Tyasha Harris – Out for the season following left knee surgery.
• Myisha Hines-Allen – Listed as probable with an ankle issue.
• Paige Bueckers – Questionable with back tightness, but expected to be available Friday.

Buckers left in the third quarter of the Wings’ loss to the Liberty. “I was just dribbling the ball and felt a tightness come along,” she said. “It’s day-to-day. I’m hoping it won’t keep me out. Just need some treatment and rest. I think it’s just a pulled muscle – I felt a strain, felt it tighten – so I’m just getting it worked out.”

Head coach Chris Koclanes confirmed that the No. 1 overall pick skipped Thursday’s practice for treatment but is making good progress. “Just rest, day-to-day,” Koclanes said. “She should be fine for tomorrow.”

Probable lineups

Liberty:

• Sabrina Ionescu
• Natasha Cloud
• Emma Meesseman
• Jonquel Jones
• Leonie Fiebich

Dallas Wings:

• Paige Bueckers
• Arike Ogunbowale
• Luisa Geiselsöder
• JJ Quinerly
• Haley Jones

Dallas Wings vs New York Liberty prediction: Who will break the tie?

The Wings head into their rematch with an 8-22 record, sitting 12th in the WNBA standings. Meanwhile, the Liberty are 19-10 and holding onto second place. Statistically, the defending champs rank third in both offensive and defensive rating this season, while Dallas sits in the bottom half of the league in both categories. 

Even so, the Wings have managed to stay competitive against New York despite the numbers being stacked against them. That said, the Liberty haven’t been at their dominant best lately. After opening the season 13-6, they hit a four-game skid before bouncing back with wins over the Connecticut Sun and the Wings. 

The key storyline heading into this one is the guard battle. Sabrina Ionescu and Arike Ogunbowale both struggled in Tuesday’s matchup. Whichever star guard finds their rhythm first could tip the balance in their team’s favor. And of course, Paige Bueckers will have her say.

But Emma Meesseman might just be the quiet X-factor for Libs. The multi-time EuroLeague champion posted 13 points, 3 rebounds, and 2 assists in 24 minutes last time. After being away from the WNBA since 2022, her impact in just two games has been impossible to miss. 

If New York feeds her inside consistently, Dallas could have more problems than they can solve. Adding to the challenge for the Wings…New York is 6-7 on the road this season, while Dallas holds a 5-10 record at home.

Hence….

Prediction: Liberty to win.