For Dallas’ basketball fans, this offseason was one for the ages. How often does a city get to witness its beloved teams win both the WNBA and NBA draft lottery? That too, without even having the best odds to do so. If that wasn’t enough, both the Wings and the Mavs drafted two of the most exciting rookies, Paige Bueckers and Cooper Flagg.
How Cooper Flagg’s pairing with Kyrie Irving, Anthony Davis, and Klay Thompson will work remains to be seen but we’ve already seen how Paige Bueckers is doing in the WNBA. With almost half the WNBA regular season having flashed by, Paige Bueckers and the Dallas Wings’ season has been somewhat of a mixed bag.
On one hand, the Dallas Wings are struggling with a 6-15 record and are languishing second last in the standings. On the other hand, Paige Bueckers has been balling out. From having multiple 20+ points games to breaking numerous records as a rookie, if there was ever a doubt about Paige Bueckers, there isn’t anymore. She is going at such a pace that she’s even breaking Caitlin Clark’s records, which seemed like a big ask for any rookie.
But while Bueckers has been dominating, her Dallas Wings have struggled this year. While it was expected that the Wings would have some learning pains with more than half their roster as rookies/sophomores, the injuries have made things worse for rookie head coach Chris Koclanes. However, with the all-star break approaching soon and players nearing return from injuries, he is determined to get the Wings’ season back on track.
Speaking to reporters before their game against the Indiana Fever, Chris said that the team is determined to change the situation around. When a reporter asked if the coach had any goals for the team before the All-Star break, he said, “Yeah, totally. I want us the respond on the road right now right?” Calling attention to the Wings only winning two road games till now.
He further said that he wants the team to change the narrative. Speaking during the same press conference, he said, “And narratives out there that we can’t play on the road. Everyone’s extremely comfortable, players are having career highs. So we wanna flip that script right here. Go on the road here in Indiana and show up with an intensity and toughness.”
Coach Koclanes also emphasized building momentum before the All-Star break. Pointing attention to the Dallas schedule with four straight home games after the All-Star break, he stressed the importance of defending their home court being a key to having a better second half of the season.
Dallas Wings and Their Poor Run-Ins With Injuries
Before the 2025 WNBA season started, there were hopes that the Dallas Wings would surprise a few teams. With Paige Bueckers having an impactful rookie season, some expected the Dallas Wings to have a season akin to the 2024 Indiana Fever, when Caitlin Clark, a rookie, led a team with a majority of roster of rookies/sophomores to the playoffs.
However, there was a spoiler in the Dallas Wings’ plans…injuries. The Wings have had a torrid time when it comes to injuries. Just five games into the season, the Dallas Wings lost half of their biggest off-season trade, Tyasha Harris, for the rest of the season. And after the next game, they were dealt another blow.
This time, it was their rookie sensation guard and team leader, Paige Bueckers. After the game against the Chicago Sky, the team announced the Buckers had been placed in the league’s concussion protocol and will miss at least the next two games. She made her return four games later against the Phoenix Mercury, but in her absence, the Wings had lost all four games.
May 19, 2025; Arlington, Texas, USA; Dallas Wings guard Paige Bueckers (5) looks on during the second half against the Seattle Storm at College Park Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images
Like clockwork, in Paige’s return game, the Wings lost another key player from their rotation to injury. This time, it was third-year forward Maddy Siegrist. According to the team’s release, she suffered a knee injury and there was no timetable for her return. As of now, she is yet to start practice with the team.
A week later, they lost another one of their offseason acquisitions, DiJonai Carrington. Carrington suffered a rib injury. However, she has started training with the team and her return seems to be coming around the corner.
As of now, the final injury that the Dallas franchise has had to suffer is to their second-highest scorer, Arike Ogunbowale. She suffered a thumb injury, but her comeback seems to be near. According to the recent reports, she could make her comeback as soon as their next game against the Indiana Fever.
While it may seem like this season has been a let-down, there are plenty of positives for the Dallas Wings’ fans. With players returning from injuries, they could yet make the playoffs as they sit just four games behind the eighth seed. But even if they don’t, with a superstar already in their ranks with Paige Bueckers, one thing is certain: there aren’t going to be many seasons without playoff basketball for the Dallas Wings fans.
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