The Dallas Wings had a rocky start to the 2025 regular season as they spiralled into a 7-game losing streak. With a rebuilding roster under newly inducted coach, Chris Koclanes, the Wings were still navigating the waters with a safe, “one-game-at-a-time” approach as they clinched just four wins in 15 appearances. Whilst fans and reporters believed that the team needed prayers and a divine intervention, the relatively young, rookie-clad locker room suddenly appeared reinvigorated with an impressive two straight wins in their belt.
While Paige Bueckers has stirred up a storm ever since she stepped foot in the regular season, it was the other rookie- JJ Quinerly, who won hearts in Bueckers’ absence. Quinerly jumped off the bench to score a season-high of 15 points in her first regular game as Aziah James added another 15 points to beat the Washington Mystics by 79-71.
Having said that, the head coach hinted at possible trouble within the locker room just before tipoff. He talked about Bueckers’ absence in the game against the Washington Mystics after a possible knee injury. “Just precautionary. Some soreness. So just doing our due diligence and managing, you know, what’s best for her long-term health,” Koclanes said. But this was the least of his concerns.
Addressing the elephant in the locker room, Koclanes chose to talk about DiJonai Carrington. On being questioned regarding his concerns about the player, the coach was quick to respond to the injury with a, “Yeah, it’s unique.“
Needless to say, Carrington had already missed 3 games this season. “
But again, just being extremely cautious and trusting our medical team,”
the HC revealed. “
But encouraged that she’ll be back out on the floor sooner than you think.” Carrington is probably the only player to have undergone a rib injury this season, implying her longer-absence on the hardwood.
However, this reassurance from the Wings’ HC goes a long way. After all, the 2024 Most Improved Player was a solid contributor to the otherwise failing locker room. Chris even provided a detailed account of Carrington’s injury ahead of the showdown against the Mystics. The Wings’ guard suffered from a rib injury during the game against the Sun on June 21, 2025.
“It was in the Connecticut game- late in that game,” the HC said. “We turned it over and then she stepped in to draw a charge if, you remember that play, late. Took a big hit right here to the chest. So, she’s improving daily.” Moreover, her injury status deteriorated from a day-to-day probability to an indefinite Out. The veteran is expected to
Carrington has successfully averaged 11.8 points, 5.1 rebounds, and 2.1 assists so far. This is a predominant reason why her
absence was heavily felt in game two against the Washington Mystics. On the other hand, the offensive load fell on Arike Ogunbowale, who finished with 14 points and provided the much-needed leadership to the roster. The Wings clinched a 28-9 lead in the first quarter against the Mystics. And then there was no looking back.
Currently one of the last standing teams on the Western Conference division rankings, can Dallas Wings successfully climb the ranks and make it to the playoffs? Or will the ghosts of their 11 losses come haunting them as a roadblock to victory? Well, that remains to be seen. With a promising mix in the roster, the return of Carrington and Bueckers will determine the fate of the locker room under the leadership of Ogunbowale.
Paige Bueckers stands in support of Caitlin Clark
“The pressure that she’s put on every single night to perform at the level that she does, it’s inhumane, really, to expect people to be perfect and to not have off games or off nights,” Paige Bueckers said. “If she doesn’t go 8-for-10 from 3, people are questioning things. It’s unfair to have to deal with that.” Despite being compared to the Indiana Fever star, Caitlin Clark ever since she stepped into the pros, Bueckers spoke against the scrutiny faced by her counterpart.
Bueckers spoke to the media personnel regarding the unfair treatment meted out towards Clark because of her surprisingly questionable performance against the Seattle Storm. “It’s just what comes with it. Every player has to deal with it in some shape or form. In the NBA, it’s way worse. But you just deal with it,” she added. Having faced it first-hand previously, Bueckers further suggested players to refrain from social media if they wish to retain positivity in their lives.
Despite making a remarkable 32-point comeback in the roster’s first-ever victory against the New York Liberty, Clark only managed 6 points as the Indiana Fever teammates, Aliyah Boston, Kelsey Mitchell, and Lexi Hull stepped up and led the team to a crucial 94-86 win against the Seattle Storm. And before the much-anticipated face-off between Bueckers and Clark could culminate, the Fever guard was ruled out with a left groin injury.
While Indiana Fever climbed the Eastern Conference standings and clinched a third position with an 8-8 statistic, can the Dallas Wings showcase a similar feat? Can the roster surpass other teams and carve a spot in the playoffs? Honestly speaking, the future looks bleak as the incomplete Wings roster navigates through the season.
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