EDITOR’s Note: Arike Ogunbowale has been upgraded to being a game-time decision, per Coach Vickie Johnson.
Talked to Vickie Johnson, and she said Arike is a game time decision.
— Maggie Hendricks (@maggiehendricks) August 24, 2022
Arike Ogunbowale has been upgraded to probable ahead of the series-clinching Game 3 between the Sun and Wings.
Prior to Wednesday, August 24th vs. Connecticut: pic.twitter.com/S0F9Btx22Q
— X – Dallas Wings (@DallasWings) August 23, 2022
Dallas initially ruled out the All-Star guard after she underwent the iliac crest core muscle avulsion repair surgery on Aug. 9. Ogunbowale suffered the injury on Aug. 6 against the Indiana Fever while playing defense in the fourth quarter. When Ogunbowale went under the knife, she was told her timetable for recovery was at least three weeks.
“They said, hey, if you get it now, there’s a possibility that you can play in three weeks,” Coach Vickie Johnson said on Aug. 10. “And she was like, “Alright, well, let’s do it.” Within an hour, made a decision, had the surgery.”
On Tuesday, Ogunbowale was a full participant in a practice session that allowed the media to watch. The former champ ran through plays and took free throws with her teammates. She also participated in practice drills before Game 2 against the Sun.
The Wings have been able to successfully work a “next man up” mentality when Ogunbowale missed games. They beat the Aces and Sky in back-to-back regular-season games and won Game 2 without the 2021 All-Star Game MVP to tie up their first-round series against the Sun.
Wednesday’s Game 3 will be hosting the first home playoff game at College Park Center in Wings history.
