The Dallas Wings and the Washington Mystics locked horns in one of the most anticipated matchups of the week, and it’s safe to say the game lived up to the hype. What looked like a golden opportunity for Dallas to snap back into the win column ultimately ended in an 81-75 defeat, their 11th loss of the season. But the biggest talking point from this game wasn’t the result. Instead, it was a heated exchange involving Paige Bueckers’ teammate Arike Ogunbowale that had officials stepping in.

With less than six minutes left in the game and the Mystics leading by three, Ogunbowale was boxing out Cotie McMahon as Alanna Smith grabbed a defensive rebound following a missed Washington shot. As Smith secured the ball, cameras caught McMahon shoving Ogunbowale to the floor. Officials immediately stopped play and called a Flagrant 1 foul before stepping in as Ogunbowale and McMahon exchanged words. The play was even reviewed, but the ruling ultimately stood.

This foul sent Ogunbowale to the free-throw line, where she converted one of her two attempts before knocking down a 25-foot three-pointer off a Paige Bueckers assist seconds later. And that shot gave Dallas a 64-63 lead.

But in the end, this ultimately wasn’t the Wings’ night.

The Mystics answered every push the Wings made as Shakira Austin gave one of her best performances of the season with 28 points. However, the advantage that ultimately proved to be decisive was in rebounds, where Washington finished the night with 42-32.

For what it’s worth, Paige Bueckers once again did everything she could to keep Dallas within striking distance. She finished with a team-high 23 points as Ogunbowale added another 20 points. But after the flagrant-foul free throws and the go-ahead three, Washington immediately responded with a three-point play from Iriafen before trading baskets with Dallas throughout a frantic closing stretch.

The game was even tied at 73 with less than three minutes remaining. Yet, the Mystics never slowed down to catch their breath, and the Wings were just not able to find an answer to their relentless work on the offensive glass.

So for Dallas, this defeat marked a second straight loss after entering the post-All-Star break riding one of its best stretches of the season. But even in defeat, Paige Bueckers and Arike Ogunbowale continued to show why they remain one of the WNBA’s most dangerous backcourts. On a night when emotions flared and the officials were forced to step in, the Wings’ star duo nearly turned a heated moment into another comeback victory – only for Washington’s dominance inside to have the final say.