Two games into the regular season, and the Dallas Wings are sitting at 0-2. While this record isn’t exactly a huge surprise—considering the team started with games against the Minnesota Lynx and Seattle Storm, two teams widely expected to finish in the top five—a 0-3 start wasn’t to be shocking either, considering they went up against the Lynx again. However, what really matters is the effort and strategy Head Coach Chris Koclanes and the Wings apply to win games. And fans aren’t liking what they’re seeing—even before the team stepped on the court.
It’s Week 1, and most teams are still experimenting with their lineups, given the limited time they’ve had since the draft. But it’s been different for the Wings. In both of the first two games, they stuck with the exact same starting lineup: Paige Bueckers, Arike Ogunbowale, NaLyssa Smith, DiJonai Carrington, and Myisha Hines-Allen.
So in Game 3—against the same opponent, the Lynx—Coach Koclanes was expected to make some meaningful adjustments. But in the roster reveal ahead of the game, Koclanes once again kept the lineup unchanged.
And that decision didn’t sit well with fans, especially since Koclanes didn’t sugarcoat the team’s shortcomings in the last game.
“It’s going to take a level of hard work and effort that we have within us, but hasn’t been demanded of us consistently all the time… It’s a game of runs. The more you can get stops, now you can get out and run in the open floor. But I didn’t even think we were good in the open floor tonight,” he shared.
The Wings allowed 31 points in the second quarter alone and couldn’t find their rhythm offensively. They shot just 4 of 19 from beyond the arc. Clearly, the team struggled to gel. So, naturally, more was expected from the head coach. But running the same starting five out for the third straight game—especially against Minnesota—might not have been the right move.
After all, this is the same Lynx team that made it to the league finals last season and has picked up right where they left off in 2025. They look like one of the W’s best teams once again. The Wings, meanwhile, are a group in transition, with a new head coach and nine new players, including Paige Bueckers, the first overall pick.
So it makes sense that repeating the same lineup has triggered frustration among fans. But it’s not just about lineup consistency—it’s about adaptation, urgency, and the bigger picture.
Fans are resentful as HC contradicts his own statement.
When Koclanes met the young roster for the first time at training camp, he made sure the players got his message loud and clear. “We’re continuing to talk about not getting ahead of ourselves and not skipping any steps,” he shared. But that doesn’t seem to have fared very well for the HC. And that’s something that’s not sitting well with the fans.
“Still rolling out the same starting five,” penned a user. So, yes—fans are noticing everything. Over the two games, the Wings’ starting five contributed 58 points against the Lynx but only 14 points against the Seattle Storm. Meanwhile, the bench players added 26 points in the first game and 24 points in the second.
But what really stood out was Maddy Siegrist, who led the bench in both games with 11 points in the first and 12 points in the second. Naturally, most fans expected her to be part of the starting lineup.
“Free Maddy Siegrist????” wrote one user. “The Maddy disrespect continues,” added another. But it’s not just about her regular-season performance—it’s about what the Wings need right now. Siegrist would have been a valuable addition to the lineup, as she’s proven herself to be a pivotal offensive player.
Just consider her second WNBA season: she averaged 14.6 points and 4.2 rebounds per game. Even during her six-game stretch as a starter, she elevated her performance to 16.8 points and 5.3 rebounds per game. Her offensive prowess would have perfectly complemented the Wings’ backcourt, providing an extra scoring option. But she isn’t the only one the fans are missing.
“Still not starting McCowan after last game?” questioned another user. One of the most surprising developments in the past few games was that Teaira McCowan didn’t start. In fact, she played just five minutes off the bench in the first game. McCowan briefly checked in during the second quarter in an all-bench unit, then didn’t play again until garbage time.
On one hand, this all makes sense. The addition of Paige Bueckers transforms the Wings into a team that’s theoretically at its best when playing fast, and McCowan isn’t built for that style. She thrives when the pace slows down and she can leverage her size to work the ball inside. Her strengths don’t necessarily align with how Head Coach Chris Koclanes wants this team to play. But considering her contributions in the game against the Storm, that perception might soon change.
“Start Maddy and Teaira already,” demanded another fan. While McCowan didn’t start in the second game either, she did play an extended stretch late in the first quarter. Not just that—she even checked in early in the second alongside Hines-Allen at the four and Siegrist at the three. And that larger frontcourt grouping actually worked. The Wings posted a net rating of over 24.6 with those three on the floor.
Maybe fans would have set aside the worries had the lineup worked. But 3 games in, the Wings stand 0-3.
The post Troubling Times for Dallas Wings’ HC as Fans Berate Paige Bueckers & Co’s Starting-5: “Free Maddy Siegrist” appeared first on EssentiallySports.