Emily Engstler's Free Throw Was the Most Clutch Shot You Missed This Weekend

You gotta be kidding me, folks! If you weren't glued to the screen Saturday night, you missed an absolute nail-biter. The Portland Fire, battling a brutal four-game skid, pulled off a stunning 84-83 victory over the Dallas Wings, thanks to Emily Engstler's ice-cold free throw with just 1.7 seconds left. Seriously, talk about high drama! This win pushes the Fire to 7-8 on the season, finally giving them something to cheer about.

The Fire Sparked Up When It Counted Most

The Fire really brought the heat, showcasing incredible teamwork with five starters hitting double figures. Bridget Carleton led the charge with a huge 20 points, Megan Gustafson dropped 16, Engstler added 11, and both Carla Leite and Sarah Ashlee Barker chipped in 10 points each. Leite also dished out eight assists, with serious court vision. That 10-0 run in the second quarter? Carleton was all over it, hitting back-to-back triples to start and end that monster run, giving Portland a 26-18 lead. Luisa Geiselsoder had a key moment, scoring four straight points late in the third to lead 57-52. Carleton answered the bell again, beating the buzzer with a clutch three-pointer to send the Fire into the fourth quarter up 63-61. Gustafson put Portland ahead 81-80 with a crucial layup, and Leite tied it all up at 83 with a layup of her own with 11.6 seconds to go. What a squad effort!

Wings Fought Hard, But Couldn't Close It Out

Let's not forget, the Dallas Wings came into this game scorching hot, winning five of their last six. Even without their leading scorer, Paige Bueckers, sidelined with a right ankle injury, they put up a heroic fight. Arike Ogunbowale was a beast with 22 points, while Azzi Fudd dropped 18, and Aziaha James had 17. Jessica Shepard grabbed 14 rebounds, adding 13 points. This was a relentless back-and-forth battle, tied at 71, 73, and 76 in the fourth. Ogunbowale and Fudd even strung together baskets for an 80-76 Dallas lead. Fudd converted a three-point play that almost sealed it, but the Fire just wouldn't quit. In the dying seconds, James missed a jumper that could have won it, and after Engstler's game-winning free throw, Ogunbowale's desperation three-pointer at the buzzer just wouldn't fall. Man, you could feel the tension! What a tough way to lose after such a valiant effort.

This win for the Fire is huge, breaking that painful four-game losing streak and giving them a much-needed boost in the Commissioner's Cup standings at 1-4. For the Wings, despite the loss, they are still looking good at 8-5 overall. But let me tell you, this is the kind of WNBA action that keeps you on the edge of your seat. What a finish! Get ready for more fireworks, folks, because this season is just getting started!

This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.