DHJ Quick Take: Wings List Awak Kuier as Probable Against Phoenix
The Dallas Wings upgraded Awak Kuier (right wrist) to probable for Thursday against the Phoenix Mercury, while Odyssey Sims (left ankle) remains out. Kuier did on-court ball-handling work in Minnesota ahead of the team’s return home.
- What is Awak Kuier’s status? Probable with a right wrist injury after going through on-court ball-handling work in Minnesota.
- Who remains out for Dallas? Odyssey Sims, with a left ankle injury.
- Why does it matter? Kuier’s possible return adds frontcourt depth as the Wings open a four-game Commissioner’s Cup stretch.
- What’s next? Wings vs. Mercury, Thursday, June 11, 8 p.m. CT on Prime.
ARLINGTON, Texas — The Dallas Wings upgraded Awak Kuier (right wrist) to probable for Thursday against the Phoenix Mercury, while Odyssey Sims (left ankle) remains out.
Kuier made the trip to Minnesota for Tuesday’s game and got on the floor during the portion of the session open to media, putting in a heavy dose of ball-handling work with her right hand. The team held a film day Wednesday before the matchup.
Kuier has played 8 games this season, averaging 6.6 points, 3.0 rebounds and 0.9 assists in 13.9 minutes a night. The numbers come efficiently. She is shooting 65.4% from the field and 53.8% from 3-point range with an 80.2% true shooting percentage, and Dallas has outscored opponents by 56 points in her minutes. She reached double figures in each of her last three appearances, with a season-high 16 points on 6-of-6 shooting at Atlanta on May 22, 10 points and 6 rebounds at New York on May 24 and 12 points and 4 rebounds against Las Vegas on May 28.
The Wings (7-4) host the Mercury (4-9) at 8 p.m. CT at College Park Center, with the game streaming nationally on Prime.
Dallas Wings Coming Off Minnesota Lynx Loss
Dallas enters off a 100-76 road loss to the Minnesota Lynx on Tuesday. Paige Bueckers led three Wings in double figures with 23 points on 9-of-16 shooting. Arike Ogunbowale added 16 points on 50% shooting, including 2-of-4 from deep, with 3 rebounds, 6 assists and 3 steals. Jessica Shepard, in her first game back in Minnesota since signing with Dallas this offseason, finished one rebound shy of a double-double with 12 points, 9 rebounds and 4 assists.
Shepard eclipsed 1,000 points for her WNBA career in that game, reaching the mark in 136 games. She is on pace to reach 1,000 career rebounds this season as well, sitting 64 short of the milestone.
The Wings enter Thursday as one of the league’s most productive offenses. Through games played as of June 9, Dallas leads the WNBA in assists per game (23.2), fast-break points per game (12.1) and assist-to-turnover ratio (1.962), and ranks among the top five in points per game (88.2, fifth), field-goal percentage (45.2%, fourth), 3-point percentage (35.0%, fourth) and offensive rating (110.6, third).
Bueckers leads the team at 18.7 points and 5.8 assists per game, one of three players in the WNBA averaging at least those marks while shooting 50% from the field and 40% from 3-point range, joining A’ja Wilson and Kelsey Plum. Rookie guard Azzi Fudd is the only first-year player averaging at least 11.4 points and 1.3 steals on the same shooting splits; her 1.3 steals per game lead Dallas and rank 17th in the WNBA.
Scouting the Phoenix Mercury
Dallas and Phoenix have gone back and forth lately, each winning five of their past 10 regular-season meetings since 2023, and they split last season’s series 2-2. The Wings have held up well at home against the Mercury, going 9-8 since the franchise moved to North Texas in 2016. Phoenix still leads the all-time series, 50-34.
The Mercury arrive having lost their most recent outing, an 87-81 road defeat to the Golden State Valkyries on Tuesday. Alyssa Thomas turned in an all-around line of 22 points, 8 rebounds and 9 assists, and Monique Akoa Makani added 19 points.
Nate Tibbetts, in his third season leading Phoenix, brings a 50-47 regular-season record into the night.
Commissioner’s Cup Implications
Thursday’s game is also a Commissioner’s Cup contest. Dallas sits 2-1 in Cup play and has raised $7,000 for Young Leaders, Strong City, its Commissioner’s Cup beneficiary.
The Wings have four games remaining in the group stage: June 11 against Phoenix, June 13 at Portland Fire, June 15 against the Las Vegas Aces and June 17 at Golden State.
More Wings Coverage on Dallas Hoops Journal
- ‘Having More Connectivity’: Paige Bueckers Details How Dallas Wings Can Respond After Minnesota Lynx Loss
- ‘They Expose You’: Minnesota Lynx’s First-Half Barrage Sinks Dallas Wings In 100-76 Road Loss
- ‘It’s Nostalgic In The Best Ways’: Jessica Shepard, Alanna Smith Return To Minnesota For First Time Since Joining Dallas Wings
- ‘She Was A No-Go Today’: Odyssey Sims Held Out Of Dallas Wings Practice With Ankle Injury
- Aziaha James Avoids Injury, Returns To Dallas Wings Practice After Los Angeles Sparks Scare
- ‘Total Team Effort’: Paige Bueckers Ties Franchise Assist Record, Arike Ogunbowale Scores 30 As Dallas Wings Beat Los Angeles Sparks 104-96
- Dallas Wings’ Jessica Shepard Named WNBA Western Conference Player Of The Week
- ‘She Was Aggressive’: Aziaha James Scores Season-High 18 Points In Dallas Wings’ Rout Of Seattle Storm
- ‘Not A Pretty Basketball Game’: Dallas Wings Grind Out 79-56 Win Over Seattle Storm For Best Start Since 2016 Move To Texas
- ‘Communication Solves A Lot Of Problems’: Elite On Offense, The Dallas Wings’ Next Step Is Defense
