Trio helps Wings rally past Dream 94-82 in playoff opener

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Dallas Wings forward Natasha Howard (6) tries to get past Atlanta Dream forward Monique Billings during the first half of a WNBA basketball first-round playoff game in Arlington, Texas, Friday, Sept. 15, 2023. (Michael Ainsworth/The Dallas Morning News via AP)

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Dallas Wings guard Veronica Burton, left, and center Awak Kuier, right, vie against Atlanta Dream guard Rhyne Howard, center, for the ball during the first half of a WNBA basketball first-round playoff game in Arlington, Texas, Friday, Sept. 15, 2023. (Michael Ainsworth/The Dallas Morning News via AP)

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Dallas Wings’ Teaira McCowan (7) defends against Atlanta Dream guard Danielle Robinson (3) during the first half of a WNBA basketball first-round playoff game in Arlington, Texas, Friday, Sept. 15, 2023. (Michael Ainsworth/The Dallas Morning News via AP)

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Dallas Wings fans cheer as the team plays against the Atlanta Dream during the first half of a WNBA basketball game in Arlington, Texas, Friday, Sept. 15, 2023. (Michael Ainsworth/The Dallas Morning News via AP)

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Dallas Wings forward Satou Sabally, rear, tries to keep Atlanta Dream guard Rhyne Howard (10) from scoring during the first half of a WNBA basketball first-round playoff game in Arlington, Texas, Friday, Sept. 15, 2023. (Michael Ainsworth/The Dallas Morning News via AP)

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Dallas Wings guard Arike Ogunbowale (24) reacts after her basket against the Atlanta Dream during the first half of a WNBA basketball game in Arlington, Texas, Friday, Sept. 15, 2023. (Michael Ainsworth/The Dallas Morning News via AP)

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Atlanta Dream guard Aari McDonald, left, tries to get past Dallas Wings’ Odyssey Sims, right, during the first half of a WNBA basketball game in Arlington, Texas, Friday, Sept. 15, 2023. (Michael Ainsworth/The Dallas Morning News via AP)

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Dallas Wings head coach Latricia Trammell cheers for her team as they play against the Atlanta Dream during the first half of a WNBA basketball game in Arlington, Texas, Friday, Sept. 15, 2023. (Michael Ainsworth/The Dallas Morning News via AP)

ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — Satou Sabally had 32 points, Arike Ogunbowale scored 24 and Teaira McCowan added a double-double to help Dallas overcome a slow start and beat Atlanta 94-82 in a first-round playoff opener on Friday night.

Sabally notched a playoff-high for the fourth-seeded Wings, sinking 11 of 20 shots from the floor — with three 3-pointers — and all seven of her free throws. She also had five rebounds, four assists and four steals. Ogunbowale added nine rebounds, seven assists and four steals for the Wings, who went 3-0 against Atlanta in the regular season. McCowan totaled 17 points — on 6-of-7 shooting — and 14 rebounds, including seven on offense. It was her second career postseason double-double.

Rhyne Howard, the top pick in the 2022 draft, finished with 36 points for the Dream, who were playing in the postseason for the first time since 2018. Howard made 13 of 29 shots, including 8 of 15 from beyond the arc. Allisha Gray pitched in with 21 points, seven boards and three steals. Cheyenne Parker scored 11 on 5-of-16 shooting with eight rebounds, three assists, three steals and three blocks.

Aari McDonald’s layup gave Atlanta a 76-73 lead with 7:10 remaining in the game. Sabally buried a 3-pointer to tie the game, McCowan scored off a rebound and Dallas never trailed again.

The Wings trailed 36-21 after one quarter but rallied to tie it at 49-all by halftime.

Atlanta, the No. 5 seed, faces an elimination game in the best-of-3 series on Tuesday night in Dallas. A win by the Dream would send the series to Atlanta for the finale on Friday.

___ AP WNBA: https://apnews.com/hub/wnba-basketball