The Dallas Wings are bringing back guard Christyn Williams, signing her to a seven-day hardship contract as the team continues to navigate injuries and roster limitations. She will be available for Thursday’s matchup against the Golden State Valkyries.
Williams recently completed her initial hardship deal with the Wings. She made her WNBA debut last week alongside former UConn teammate Paige Bueckers. Through two games, she’s averaged 5.5 points, 1.0 rebounds, and 1.5 assists.
As DallasHoopsJournal.com reported, the expectation was for her to re-sign after her first stint expired, keeping her in the rotation as Dallas closes out its road trip.
Aziaha James Nears Return
The Wings are also anticipating the return of rookie guard Aziaha James, who has been sidelined with a right ankle injury. James participated in shootaround earlier this week but was held out of Monday’s game against the Minnesota Lynx. She is expected to return to the lineup this week amid a schedule that features matchups against Golden State on Thursday and the Los Angeles Sparks on Sunday.
James has averaged 7.4 points, 2.8 rebounds, and 1.6 assists across 35 games this season. Her return comes at a critical time for a depleted Dallas backcourt.
Arike Ogunbowale remains out indefinitely with right knee tendonitis, JJ Quinerly is lost for the season with an ACL sprain, and Tyasha Harris underwent left knee surgery earlier this year.
Dallas Wings Frontcourt Remains Shorthanded
In the frontcourt, the Wings announced last week that rookie center Luisa Geiselsöder will miss the rest of the season after suffering a shoulder injury against the Connecticut Sun. Geiselsöder averaged 6.9 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 1.6 assists in 28 appearances.
To help fill that void, Dallas signed forward Ajae Petty to a hardship contract. Petty, who finished her collegiate career at Ohio State, averaged 9.4 points and 7.2 rebounds while shooting 58.8% last season.
The team had already lost center Li Yueru to a season-ending ACL sprain, leaving Myisha Hines-Allen to log heavier minutes as the starting center. Forward Haley Jones also missed the team’s last two games with a right knee injury and did not travel for Monday’s contest.
The Wings (9-32) will face the Valkyries on Thursday at 9 p.m. CT at Chase Center before heading to Los Angeles to take on the Sparks.
More Dallas Wings News & WNBA Rumors
- WNBA News: “I’d Pay to Watch Her Play”: Sue Bird Praises Paige Bueckers’ Rookie Season With Dallas Wings
- WNBA News: “We Got Extremely Close”: Paige Bueckers Reunites With DiJonai Carrington as Dallas Wings Fall to Minnesota Lynx
- WNBA News: “She’s Terrific in That Space”: Cheryl Reeve Praises Paige Bueckers Despite Dallas Wings’ Loss to Minnesota Lynx
- WNBA News: “We’ll Figure This Thing Out”: Paige Bueckers Echoes Stephen Curry in Message to Dallas Wings Fans
- WNBA News: “She Shows Up Every Night”: Cynthia Cooper Lauds Paige Bueckers’ Historic Rookie Season With Dallas Wings
- WNBA News: Inside Dallas Wings’ Navigation of Hardship Signings Amid Injury Crisis
- WNBA News: “Paige Will Be a Unifier”: Curt Miller Details Dallas Wings’ Roster Plan Around Paige Bueckers
