WNBA Playoffs Game Takes a Tense Turn as Satou Sabally Gets Brutally Knocked to the Ground Twice In 15 Minutes

The Dallas Wings and the Atlanta Dream engaged in a nail-biting Game 1 matchup that had spectators on the edge of their seats on Friday night. The showdown took place in Arlington, Texas, and was an exhilarating game from beginning to end. The Atlanta Dream started out strong, going on a 7-0 run that forced the Wings to play catch-up. Atlanta made six three-pointers in the first quarter, leaving Dallas behind, and giving the impression that their three-point shooting would be the highlight of the game. Furthermore, Rhyne Howard also put up a record-breaking performance.

However, it was the spicy trio of Arike Ogunowale, Satou Sabally and Teaira McCowan who stole the night, leading their team to victory. Meanwhile, like every WNBA game this season, this game was also not without its brutal moments. Unfortunately, it was Satou Sabally who became the focal point of two such moments during this game.

Satou Sabally gets brutally knocked to the floor – twice

The Atlanta Dream rained down three-pointers on the Wings, making six three-pointers in the first quarter. However, despite the attack, the Wings weren’t about to back down. The powerful trio of Teaira McCowan, Arike Ogunbowale and Satou Sabally rose to the situation and sparked the comeback.

Ogunbowale added 24 points and contributed nine rebounds, seven assists and four steals. McCowan, meanwhile, controlled the paint, racking up an astounding 14 rebounds?seven of which were on the offensive glass?while shooting well for 17 points, giving her a well-deserved double-double.

Sabally was the team’s lone offensive contributor in the opening frame, scoring the group’s first nine points. She would go on to have an incredible game, scoring a game-high 32 points, including three 3-pointers, while also making contributions on defense, offense and rebounding. However, in the third quarter, she found herself on the ground, brutally pushed by Allisha Gray.

In the third quarter with barely eight minutes remaining in the game, Sabally was running to catch a pass from Odyssey Sims. Unfortunately, Gray was too focused on blocking the shot and knocked down Sabally to the floor. She seemed to be in much pain. However, she was able to get up with the help of her teammates.

The referees then took the foul under review for a potential upgrade by watching the replay. Eventually, it was deemed a common foul.

Unfortunately for Sabally, there was another hit to her face waiting for her in the same game that night. With barely three minutes left on the clock during the fourth quarter of the game, Gray received her second foul for hitting Sabally in the face.

Rhyne Howard received a pass from Gray while on the move. However, Sabally was right behind Gray, who collided with Howard during the pass. Gray’s arm, meanwhile, hit Sabally in the face during the pass. Sabally once again found herself on the floor, covering her mouth in pain.

Fortunately, she was able to get up again and resume playing.

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Meanwhile, Rhyne Howard made history on the night.

Rhyne Howard makes history

Rhyne Howard, the first pick from the 2022 WNBA Draft, made her impact in the postseason felt during the Atlanta Dream’s matchup with the Dallas Wings. The 23-year-old put on an incredible performance in Game 1 of their first-round matchup in Dallas, completing the night with an astounding 36 points.

Furthermore, she accomplished a feat never before accomplished in WNBA playoff history by scoring 19 of those points in the first quarter alone, cementing her place in history.

The amazing night for Howard didn’t end there, though, she showed off her shooting skills, going 13 for 29 from the field and 8 for 15 from 3-point range from the field. Howard also made both of her free throw attempts and made a defensive contribution to the game with four rebounds, along with three steals and two assists.

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In spite of Howard’s outstanding individual performance, though, the Atlanta Dream was no match for the Dallas Wings trio. But despite the Dream losing game 1, Rhyne Howard stands as a player to look out for on September 19 when the two teams will face off for game 2. Who are you rooting for? Let us know in the comment below!