DHJ Quick Take: Alanna Smith Injury in Austin
- The Injury Variable: Alanna Smith was the most efficient player on the floor (12 points, 7 rebounds in 12 minutes) before an inadvertent elbow from A’ja Wilson forced her exit. While labeled a precaution, her health is the “mechanical necessity” for a Wings team that opens the regular season in just five days.
- The Lynx Connection: The chemistry between Smith and Jessica Shepard is already translating to Texas. Their shared history in Minnesota—specifically during Napheesa Collier‘s injury absence last season—provides Jose Fernandez with a frontcourt pairing that requires minimal “ramp-up” time.
- Regular Season Readiness: Dallas finishes the preseason 2-0 with wins over Indiana and Las Vegas. The focus now shifts to Tuesday’s practice, where the team will look to integrate Kuier and Arike Ogunbowale before the May 9 tip-off in Indianapolis.
AUSTIN — Dallas Wings starting center Alanna Smith exited Sunday’s 101-84 preseason win over the Las Vegas Aces with a face injury and did not return after taking an inadvertent elbow from four-time MVP A’ja Wilson that left her mouth bleeding.
The Australian big had been the most efficient player on the floor for either team prior to leaving, finishing with 12 points on 5-of-6 shooting and a team-high 7 rebounds in just 12 minutes. She also connected on both of her three-point attempts and posted the Wings’ best plus-minus at plus-19.
The Wings ruled Smith out for the remainder of the game as a precaution. Smith had entered the game being upgraded from questionable to available on the Wings’ status report while managing a left quad issue.
“We’re going to start the same five that we started the other day. I know Alanna was questionable, so we’ll see how she does in her pregame routine and make that decision then,” Fernandez said pregame.
Alanna Smith Set the Tone Before Exiting
Smith set the tone for the Wings’ offense from the opening tip, knocking down a pair of early 3-pointers as Dallas raced out to an 8-2 lead. Her ability to space the floor as a center — paired with her defensive versatility — has been one of the more important developments of training camp.
Smith is going to gain the chance to pick up where she left off, playing with forward Jessica Shepard, with whom she played significant minutes last season for the Minnesota Lynx.
Shepard, in her Wings debut after just one practice with the team, addressed pre-game how the chemistry the two built in Minnesota would carry into Dallas.
“It’s great. Alanna and I played extended minutes together last year when Phee was hurt, so we have a great connection on the court, both defensively and offensively,” Shepard told Dallas Hoops Journal at shootaround. “I think both of us played some of our best basketball when we were on the floor together, so I’m excited for the opportunity to do that over a full season.”
Dallas Wings Frontcourt Depth
As Awak Kuier (overseas commitment) nears a return to the team, the Wings’ frontcourt has no shortage of options, starting with Smith and Shepard. Maddy Siegrist has thrived in preseason and can play multiple positions on the wing. Dallas has 6-foot-7 Li Yueru to provide size in lineups. However, it remains to be seen what role Dulcy Fankam Mendjiadeu or Rayah Marshall will have as roster cuts will be made soon.
Dallas finishes the 2026 preseason 2-0 and returns to practice on Tuesday before opening the 2026 WNBA regular season on the road at the Indiana Fever on Saturday, May 9, at 12 p.m. CT.
More Wings Coverage on Dallas Hoops Journal
- Dallas Wings Cap Preseason With 101-84 Rout Of Las Vegas Aces In Austin
- ‘Awak Will Be Back In Texas’: Awak Kuier Rejoining Dallas Wings As Roster Nears Whole
- ‘They Did a Great Job Assembling This Team’: Jessica Shepard Details Joining Dallas Wings, Ready To Play vs. Las Vegas Aces
- ‘It’s A Process’: JJ Quinerly Cleared For First Dallas Wings Game Since Knee Surgery
- What Dallas Wings Rookie Azzi Fudd Took From Her First WNBA Preseason Game
- Dallas Wings Open Preseason With 95-80 Win Over Indiana Fever Behind Paige Bueckers, Maddy Siegrist Double-Double
- Jose Fernandez Details Indiana Fever Backcourt Test, Dallas Wings Minutes Management
- Stephanie White: Dallas Wings Have ‘A Lot to Be Excited About’ After Pairing Azzi Fudd, Paige Bueckers
- ‘The Goal Is To Win’: Alanna Smith, Jose Fernandez Preview Dallas Wings’ Preseason Opener At Indiana Fever
- ‘She’s Going To Be Special’: Inside Azzi Fudd’s Early Impression At Dallas Wings Training Camp
- ‘A Dream Come True’: Paige Bueckers, Azzi Fudd Realize Decade-Long Journey To Dallas Wings Backcourt
