Days After WNBA Hands Out Fines for On-Court Misconduct, 33YO Veteran Drags Down 3x All Star Arike Ogunbowale

The WNBA is in full motion and looks better than ever. On the verge of commencing its first-ever 40-game season, WNBA is producing enticing headlines regularly. Sabrina Ionescu, Brittney Griner, and Jewell Loyd put the league in the spotlight while teams fight hard for playoff spots. Playoffs beckon for eight out of the twelve teams in the league. The top eight teams, irrespective of the conference, will make their way into the playoffs based on their records. The opening playoff round unfolds thrilling best-of-three series. Soon, the stakes escalate in the semifinals and finals, where a gripping best-of-five format will take center stage.

The headlines aren’t the only sole factor when talking about similarities to the NBA. WNBA players recently spoke their minds on the officiating in the 2023 season, like the ongoing battle between players and the referees in NBA. In return, the WNBA handed over fines to more than 5 players and even suspended one. The penalties came from their remarks towards the officials and in light of frequent ejections for on-court misconduct. Just days after, WNBA displayed another case of flagrant foul in the heat of the game.

Arike Ogunbowale clotheslined by Tiffany Hayes

Wings’ Arike Ogunbowale has been the face of multiple ejections this season. She is one of the players who handed out fines recently. Recently recognized for her stunt with a referee, Ogunbowale found herself on another side of a flagrant foul in her stint against the Suns.

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Trailing by 6 points with 1:43 to go, Suns’ DeWanna Bonner launched a desperation three with 21 seconds on the shot clock. The tension was palpable. Hayes took charge as the game hung in the balance, boxing out Arike to secure Bonner’s miss under the weakside basket. In a flash, Hayes went for the score of her rebound, only to be met with a fierce block from Satou Sabally on her left. The loose ball went straight to Arike’s waiting hand. Arike seized the moment with her poised and purposeful dribble for a fastbreak.

But the story took an unexpected twist.

In the heat of the moment, Tiffany’s hand, in momentum from the block, collided with Arike’s face. Arike found herself on the floor, with pain coursing through her. The clock paused as she took some time before gathering herself.

Hayes was charged with a flagrant one. Despite the initial dismay, Arike was back into action. The Connecticut Suns are one of the prominent frontrunners to win the title this season. Trailing them are the Dallas Wings.

Even though the two have a 5 game gap, their recent matchup hints that Dallas can hold their ground against the #3 seed.

Arike Ogunbowale tops WNBA 3-point franchise record

Arike Ogunbowale lit up the court with history-making brilliance recently. On a stage against the Seattle Storm, Ogunbowale etched her name in the record books. Her 341st 3-pointer in the third quarter crowned her the esteemed leader of the Dallas Wings in the prestigious category. Arike’s feat surpasses the legacy of Deanna Nolan. Deanna held the previous record of 340 3-pointers during her stint with the Wings in their Detroit days.?

It’s a tale of contrasting timelines. Nolan’s journey spanned 293 games to etch her name in history. On the other side, Ogunbowale achieved a remarkable milestone in fewer than 140 games, leaving an indelible mark on the court. But it’s not just about the numbers but the style. Arike, the current guardian of the Wings, boasts an average of 6.8 attempts from beyond the arc. This starkly contrasts Nolan’s era, where the attempts averaged a mere 3.3 over her entire career.

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Efficiency meets ambition in Arike’s game. Since 2019, she has consistently commanded a near 34% success rate from beyond the arc, adding a layer of reliability to her unparalleled skillset.