Dallas Wings guard JJ Quinerly will miss the remainder of the season with an ACL sprain in her left knee, the team announced Saturday.
Quinerly was injured Aug. 20 against the Los Angeles Sparks and had been sidelined since. She appeared on the bench during Friday’s game against Seattle using crutches and wearing a brace. The Wings expect her to make a full recovery.
The 22-year-old averaged 6.5 points, 2.3 assists, and 1.9 rebounds in 34 games. After being selected with the 27th overall pick in the third round of the 2025 WNBA Draft, she became a steady contributor in the backcourt rotation as Dallas navigated an injury-plagued season.
Head coach Chris Koclanes said Quinerly’s absence is a significant blow.
“Very much so on both sides of the ball,” Koclanes said. “She’s another pace creator and tempo changer who gets our offense going and flowing. Defensively, her ability to pressure the ball and speed other teams up is valuable. We definitely miss her presence on the floor.”
With Quinerly sidelined, Koclanes said Paige Bueckers will be tasked with more responsibilities handling the ball.
“It puts Paige on the ball more right away,” Koclanes said. “With just Grace there, Paige will have to initiate more and dominate on the ball some more. She’s more than capable and ready to do that.”
Bueckers has averaged 19.4 points, 5.1 assists and 4.0 rebounds in 30 games this season. In eight games this month, she has averaged 22.3 points, 4.4 rebounds and 3.9 assists.
Injuries Continue to Pile Up for the Dallas Wings
The Wings have been devastated by injuries. After the latest season-ending setback to Quinerly, eight of the 12 players from Dallas’ opening night roster will have missed at least seven games by the end of the season. Including Li Yueru, who joined the team midseason before her ACL sprain, nine players on the roster will have missed at least seven games. Not one Wings player has appeared in every game this season.
Tyasha Harris (left knee surgery) and Yueru are also out for the year, while Arike Ogunbowale remains sidelined with right knee tendinitis. The team has surpassed 100 player-games lost to injuries or national team absences, leaving Dallas shorthanded for much of the season.
Dallas is down to nine available players, assuming Aziaha James is upgraded from probable to available after managing a right foot injury. The team has been forced to rely on hardship signings to keep the roster afloat. Amy Okonkwo joined on a seven-day hardship contract and scored eight points in her debut on Friday.
Preparing for the Golden State Valkyries
The Wings (9-28) host the Golden State Valkyries (18-18) on Sunday at College Park Center. Dallas is coming off a 95-60 loss to Seattle, when Maddy Siegrist led the team with 12 points and five rebounds and Bueckers added 11 points.
The teams have split two meetings this season, with each side winning at home. The Valkyries won the most recent matchup 86-76 on July 25.
Koclanes said Golden State remains a dangerous playoff contender despite recent struggles.
“They’re a tough group that plays very together and has a strong defensive identity,” Koclanes said. “They score the highest percentage of their points from the arc and are last in points in the paint. So it’s about how you defend the arc, and that’s easier said than done.”
Looking back at Friday’s loss, Koclanes said his team must respond with more toughness.
“Physicality,” Koclanes said. “Watching what Seattle did to us, those are things we want to establish ourselves. Defensively, we need more consistent physicality. Offensively, we need to embrace it — be more physical, demand catches, and still run our offense.”
More Dallas Wings News & WNBA Rumors
- WNBA News: “We’ve Got to Learn From It”: Dallas Wings Overpowered by Seattle Storm Bench in Historic Loss
- WNBA News: “It’s Amazing Being Back”: Once an Intern, Amy Okonkwo is Set for Dallas Wings Debut Against Seattle Storm
- WNBA News: JJ Quinerly Ruled Out Friday Against Seattle Storm as Dallas Wings’ Injury Toll Nears 100 Games Lost
- WNBA News: Dallas Wings’ Li Yueru Out for Season With ACL Sprain, Arike Ogunbowale Has No Timetable With Knee Tendinitis
- WNBA News: “Paige Will Be a Unifier”: Curt Miller Details Dallas Wings’ Roster Plan Around Paige Bueckers
