In a rather quiet trade period that has come and gone, the Lynx and DiJonai Carrington perhaps stole what little noise was made. “I’m in the winning column now,” the 5′ 11″ guard rejoiced. A few months ago, the scenario would have seemed like a far-fetched possibility– a defensive anchor fitting right into the Wings’ young core. But Curt Miller decided that the long-term vision mattered more. So, in they brought Diamond Miller, Karlie Samuelson, a 2027 second-rounder, and perhaps a good look at their lapses?
If anything, the past week has proven that the Lynx were set up for immediate success by Dallas. They were handed the league’s Most Improved Player just in time for Napheesa Collier’s absence due to an injury. “Without Nay’s effort, you know we had to move people around. We had Carlton playing some four, we had a little bit of foul trouble, we had an ankle injury, just navigating,” Cheryl Reeve highlighted the perks of adding Carrington to the roster. But she isn’t just trying to settle in, the guard is yielding results on the court.
In her three games with the Lynx thus far, DiJonai Carrington is averaging 13.3 points, 4 rebounds, 1.7 assists, and a whopping 2 steals each night, boosting just about every stat up from her run as a Wing. The departure seemed to have stung the young guard, and it showed; not just in performance, but also in what she said.
Jordan Robinson and Autumn Johnson discussed the former Dallas guard’s reaction to all of this on the latest episode of The Women’s Hoop Show. “I love what DiJonai said after the game when she was talking with Holly Rowe. She said it’s been so easy to fit into this team. And it looks that way,” Robinson said, agreeing with the WNBA star’s assessment of her new team setting. However, there seemed to be another side to her words.
“She said they move the ball, and I don’t know if it’s just me, but everything she said? I’m taking it as a shot against Dallas. So she was like they move the ball, they communicate, no egos,” the host noted. “This isn’t coming out of no where.”
Carrington was brought to Dallas to lead the young team on the defensive end. She was assured increased minutes. And the Stanford alumna was gearing up to embrace the role, too, before coach Chris Koclanes moved her to the sidelines. The guard hadn’t shied away from letting her disappointment be known then. So, it doesn’t seem like she is hiding now, either. Carrington is picking the positives, leading the Lynx to the title that’s all but confirmed, and Dallas? Their is no win for them this season.
In response to her trade, Curt Miller signed six-foot-tall guard Grace Berger for the rest of the season, but it couldn’t have been farther from Carrington’s showings in Minnesota. Berger is currently averaging about 2 points, 3.1 rebounds, 2.3 assists, and one steal for the Dallas Wings. Paige Bueckers can feel the void, even if her words don’t spell it out.
“Yeah, she’s just getting more comfortable and confident in the offense… Getting us organized. She just plays with effort that you really can’t teach. So, she just makes a positive impact on the basketball game regardless of made or missed shots,” she said according to journalist Joey Mistretta on X.
It will be an uphill battle for the Wings going forward. They’ve lost one of their most productive players, and the young talent will take some time to develop.
Facing Indiana will be a trial by fire for Berger and the Dallas Wings, especially with the latest injury updates for the game. Let’s find out where Paige Bueckers and the Wings stand in the face of a Fever team without Caitlin Clark.
Good news for Paige Bueckers, a mixed bag for the Dallas Wings ahead of Indiana Fever game
Can we be honest and say that Paige Bueckers had all of us worried over the last week? We’ve seen way too many injuries this season, and to see a rookie go down is the worst feeling in basketball. Thanks to the Dallas Wings medical staff, the six-foot-tall guard is feeling fresh and ready to go ahead of the Indiana Fever game.
However, as always, not everything can go right for Dallas. Arike Ogunbowale has been facing some issues with her right knee, complaining of soreness for the last couple of weeks. Recently, right before the Dallas vs Indiana game, the five-foot-eight guard was ruled unfit to play in tonight’s matchup.
May 29, 2025; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Dallas Wings guard Paige Bueckers (5) celebrates with guard Arike Ogunbowale (24) during the first half against the Chicago Sky at the Wintrust Arena. Mandatory Credit: Patrick Gorski-Imagn Images
Even though Ogunbowale is having a relatively troubled year, averaging a career-low 15.5 points every night, her off-ball theatrics are vital to Dallas’ success. Or, as BleacherReport analyst Nekias Duncan put it, “You’ll still get some early shots from her, but for the most part she’s been very willing to both operate off the ball and simply get off the ball when she doesn’t have anything.” Losing the guard is a heavy blow for the Wings.
It will be interesting to see how coach Chris Koclanes utilizes his guard lineup against a lightning-quick Indiana Fever team. Stephanie White’s pace-and-space system works incredibly well even without Caitlin Clark, and the Cunningham-Mitchell duo has been on fire lately. But can Grace Berger step up and make the best out of her opportunity tonight? Maybe even fill Ogunbowale’s shoes? Well, only time will tell.
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