The Dallas Wings are beginning to get healthier as they prepare for a nationally televised matchup against the Indiana Fever on Sunday. Following Friday’s practice, head coach Chris Koclanes confirmed that Arike Ogunbowale (left thumb) is set to return to the lineup, while DiJonai Carrington (rib) remains day-to-day.
Ogunbowale, who last played on June 28 in a win over the Washington Mystics, fully participated in practice and is trending toward rejoining the rotation. She has averaged 16.8 points, 2.7 rebounds, and 3.9 assists in 18 appearances this season.
“Arike’s here. She practiced,” Koclanes said. “She’s good to go.”
Carrington, meanwhile, got shots up during Friday’s session but did not fully participate. She’s missed six straight games since suffering a rib injury on June 20 against the Connecticut Sun. Carrington is averaging 11.8 points, 5.1 rebounds, and 2.1 assists across 14 games this season.
“DiJonai is day to day,” Koclanes said. “I’m leaning on our medical team, but as far as I know, it could be any day.”
Both players were previously ruled out for Wednesday’s 87–76 road loss to the Chicago Sky, where the Wings (6–15) started four rookies and center Li Yueru due to ongoing injury absences. The team has leaned heavily on its rookie core in recent weeks, with Paige Bueckers, JJ Quinerly, Aziaha James, and Luisa Geiselsöder all logging extended minutes.
Dallas re-signed Haley Jones to a rest-of-season contract earlier this week to stabilize the rotation, and she contributed four points off the bench in her return against Chicago. With Ogunbowale cleared and Carrington nearing a return, the Wings could soon return to a more familiar lineup.
Sunday’s game against the Fever (12:00 p.m. CT, ABC) marks the end of a difficult three-game road trip for the Wings. The team has lost three straight away from home and is eager to regroup heading into the All-Star break.
“We want to flip that script,” Koclanes said. “There’s a narrative out there that we can’t play on the road. Players are having career highs against us. We want to show up in Indiana with intensity and toughness.”
The Wings have been without not only Ogunbowale and Carrington but also Maddy Siegrist (right knee) and Tyasha Harris (left knee) — the latter of whom has been ruled out for the season. Siegrist is continuing her rehab, but no formal timetable has been set for her return.
With a win on Sunday, Dallas would have a chance to head into the break with momentum and potentially a fuller rotation. That starts with the return of Ogunbowale — and the continued progress of Carrington.
More Dallas Wings News & WNBA Rumors
- “We’ve Got to Be Better Defensively”: Dallas Wings Fall to Chicago Sky Despite Li Yueru’s Double-Double
- Haley Jones Rejoins Dallas Wings, Liatu King Waived Before Chicago Sky Game
- “Wake-Up Call”: Dallas Wings Routed by Phoenix Mercury in Rematch as Road Struggles Continue
- Dallas Wings Move Rematch with Indiana Fever to American Airlines Center After Historic Showing in June
