With a Hall of Fame, as-celebrated-as-can-be Maverick sitting courtside in support of the new-look Dallas Wings, perhaps it was only right that an early-game spark arrived in the form of a talented back-to-basket player. Expeditious in her impact after a quiet season-opener, Teaira McCowan presents herself as a first-half star, sealing off Li Yueru during a post-up before taking two different Seattle Storm defenders alongside her for an and-one ride. A nightly double-double threat any time she takes the floor, McCowan set the groundwork during her opening check-in, recording an eight-point, five-rebound, two-block statline over a 10-minute appearance. Even in defeat, the production helped set the tone for McCowan’s productive evening within Dallas’ multi-big lineups. By evening’s end, the 6-foot-7 veteran totalled 10 points (on four-of-seven shooting), nine rebounds, one assist, one steal, three rejections, and a +6 plus-minus. · May 20, 2025