Dallas Wings' Jessica Shepard faces Lynx in key CBS matchup
Dallas Wings forward Jessica Shepard leads a shorthanded lineup into Sunday's 2 p.m. ET matchup on CBS and Paramount Plus against the Minnesota Lynx, a Western Conference showdown that spotlights a Dallas defense that has already surrendered 90 and 100 points to Minnesota in two 2026 meetings. With star Lynx forward Napheesa Collier still sidelined, the Wings need a stronger wall around the paint at College Park Center.
Key Takeaways
- Minnesota enters 14-4 without Collier; Dallas is 11-7 but missing Odyssey Sims and Alanna Smith.
- Jessica Shepard posted 22 points, 14 rebounds and four assists in Thursday's loss to Las Vegas.
- The Lynx are 2-0 against the Wings this season and road favorites at -3.5 on DraftKings.
- Sunday's game airs nationally at 2:00 p.m. ET on CBS and streams on Paramount Plus.
- Rookie Olivia Miles (18.6 PPG) has powered Minnesota's depth while Collier recovers from ankle surgery.
When and where can you watch Lynx vs. Wings?
The Minnesota Lynx visit the Dallas Wings on Sunday, June 28, at 2:00 p.m. ET from College Park Center in Arlington, Texas. CBS carries the game nationally, with Paramount Plus streaming it for subscribers.
For more national TV schedules this week, see our Streaming & TV Alerts hub.
Who is out for the Lynx and Wings?
According to the final injury report from Yahoo Sports, Minnesota has ruled out Napheesa Collier as she recovers from left ankle surgery. Dorka Juhasz (right mid-foot sprain) and Emma Cechova (torn ACL) are also unavailable.
Dallas will miss guard Odyssey Sims for a ninth straight game with a left ankle sprain. Forward Alanna Smith is out with a concussion for her third consecutive contest. Those absences thin a rotation already leaning on Shepard and Paige Bueckers.
Can Dallas slow Minnesota's offense without Napheesa Collier?
Even without Collier, Minnesota has not missed a beat at 14-4. Rookie Olivia Miles is averaging 18.6 points, 4.9 rebounds and 5.6 assists, while Natasha Howard dropped 21 points and 15 rebounds against Washington on Wednesday.
The Lynx rank first in defensive rating and third in offensive rating according to Sports Illustrated, and they are 8-1 on the road. Dallas allowed 99, 110, 92, 91 and 66 points in its last five games per Fox News, and Minnesota scored 90 and 100 in their prior head-to-heads.
Oddsmakers list the Lynx as 3.5-point road favorites (-175 moneyline) with a total of 177.5 at DraftKings.
What does Jessica Shepard bring to this matchup?
Shepard has emerged as a go-to interior option for the Wings. She led Dallas with 22 points, 14 rebounds and four assists in Thursday's loss to the Aces, while Bueckers added 25 points and six boards.
Dallas is 6-2 at home but 5-5 on the road this season. With Sims and Smith sidelined, Shepard's rebounding and interior scoring carry extra weight against a Lynx frontcourt led by Howard and Miles.
Minnesota beat Dallas by 24 points in their most recent meeting. The Wings need a sharper defensive showing to keep their No. 6 standing from slipping against a Lynx team that remains a Western Conference contender despite Collier's extended absence.