20 Moments of 2016 – May 21: Wings Make Their Home Debut


In the days leading up to the New Year, WNBA.com is reliving the best of the league’s landmark 20th season in its 20 Moments of 2016 series. Check back each day from now until December 31 for more!

20 MOMENTS: WNBA Draft | Breanna Stewart’s Debut | Wings’ First Game in Dallas | Mystics-Sun Triple-OT | Lynx-Sparks Round 1 | WNBA Top 20@20 | Taurasi’s 7,000th Point | Hammon’s Jersey Retired | Jackson’s Jersey Retired | EDD vs. Stewie Duel | Olympians Capture Gold | Swin Cash Night | Pondexter Moves to No. 5 in Scoring | So Long, Penny | Stars Celebrate Duo | Tamika’s Farewell | Angel’s Playoff Showcase | Ogwumike Named MVP | Beard’s Finals Buzzer-Beater | An Epic Finale

The Moment

After relocating from Tulsa in the offseason, the Wings made their home debut in spectacular fashion with an 82-77 win over San Antonio in front of a sellout crowd at College Park Center on the University of Texas at Arlington campus. Dallas native Odyssey Sims led the Wings with 23 points on the night.

The Flashback

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The Significance

Not only was it the first-ever WNBA game in Dallas, but the contest also featured Skylar Diggins’ much-anticipated return to the court. Eleven months earlier, Diggins had suffered a torn ACL in her right knee that required season-ending surgery. Her 2016 season was over after just nine games.

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Diggins continued to rehab throughout the offseason, and she missed the team’s first three games of the regular season, all on the road. She played just 12 minutes off the bench that night against San Antonio – Diggins later admitted she should have waited a bit longer to return – but it was a major sigh of relief for the former All-Star and added to an unforgettable home debut for the Wings.

Related

Skylar Diggins’ Road Back

Photo Gallery: Wings Win First-Ever Game in Dallas

Game Recap & Box Score