Dallas Wings Add Christyn Williams on Extreme Hardship Deal, Re-Sign Amy Okonkwo to Seven-Day Deal

Grant AfsethAugust 29, 2025August 29, 2025no comment

Photo by Ellen Schmidt/NBAE via Getty Images

The Dallas Wings have made two roster additions ahead of Friday’s matchup against the Atlanta Dream. As DallasHoopsJournal.com reported, the team announced the signing of guard Christyn Williams to an extreme hardship contract and the re-signing of forward Amy Okonkwo to a second seven-day hardship deal.

Both players will be available when the Wings take the court in Atlanta. For a Dallas team battered by injuries and heavily reliant on hardship contracts throughout the summer, the moves add immediate depth to a roster struggling to meet the league’s minimum player requirement.

Okonkwo has already established herself as a valuable spark in her first three WNBA games, while Williams now has the opportunity to return to the league after time away and rekindle connections with former UConn teammates.

Christyn Williams Returns to WNBA

Williams, the No. 14 overall pick in the 2022 WNBA Draft by the Washington Mystics, is making her return after multiple stops in recent years. She missed her rookie season due to a knee injury and later spent time with the Phoenix Mercury in 2023 before signing a training camp deal with the Minnesota Lynx this past February. This spring, she averaged 7.8 points and 1.9 rebounds at Athletes Unlimited, then competed in the 3×3 Basketball Association in Spokane alongside current Wings Serena Sundell and Amy Okonkwo.

At UConn, Williams played four seasons and earned the 2022 Ann Meyers Drysdale Award as the nation’s top shooting guard. She reached three Final Fours with the Huskies and played two seasons with current Wings guard Paige Bueckers.

Amy Okonkwo Extends Strong Start

Okonkwo has been one of Dallas’ most reliable hardship contributors since joining earlier this month. Through her first three WNBA appearances, she has averaged 11.3 points, 1.7 rebounds, and 1.3 assists, shooting 57.7% from the field and 36.4% from beyond the arc. Her scoring has increased in each outing, from eight points in her Aug. 22 debut against Seattle to 12 against Golden State on Aug. 24 and 14 against Connecticut on Aug. 27.

The TCU product and Dallas-area native said her preparation has enabled her to step into the Wings’ rotation immediately.

“I’m local — I live 12 minutes away and train at TCU. I pride myself on staying ready,” Okonkwo said. “I’m thankful for the opportunity, even though it’s tragic that it comes from someone else’s injury. I’m happy I’ve been able to help and hope to keep contributing.”

Her impact has been felt throughout the roster. Okonkwo’s scoring numbers have turned heads, but teammates and coaches say her presence goes beyond the box score. Myisha Hines-Allen praised Okonkwo as bringing new energy to a group that has been forced to adjust constantly with new lineups.

“She’s been a spark the second she steps on the court,” Myisha Hines-Allen said. “Defensively aggressive, smart with her shots, and creating for herself and teammates. She looked like she’s been with us all season.”

Head coach Chris Koclanes pointed to Okonkwo’s ability to adapt quickly, noting how her skill set has fit seamlessly into Dallas’ system.

“Amy’s really smart and communicates really well, so she picks things up quickly,” Koclanes said. “I love her communication on both sides of the ball. She can pick and pop to spread the floor, but she also has a quick first step. You’ve got to close out on her because she can attack, get into the paint, and finish, and she can make simple reads.”

Dallas Wings Injuries Continue to Mount

The Wings’ season has been defined by injuries, with eight players on the status report entering Friday’s game. Paige Bueckers is questionable after missing Wednesday’s contest with an illness. Luisa Geiselsöder is out after suffering a right shoulder injury in the loss to Connecticut.

Aziaha James, who had a game-high 22 points before exiting with a right ankle injury on Wednesday, is doubtful, as is Haley Jones due to a right knee issue. Dallas remains without Arike Ogunbowale, who has no timetable for return with right knee tendinitis, while Tyasha Harris (knee surgery), JJ Quinerly (ACL sprain), and Li Yueru (ACL sprain) have all been ruled out for the season.

Through 39 games, no Dallas player has appeared in every contest, and the team’s total missed games due to injury or absence has climbed to 107. The revolving door of hardship signings has kept the Wings competitive, with players like Jones, Okonkwo, Sundell, and Grace Berger all making notable contributions in expanded roles.

Game Preview: Dallas Wings at Atlanta Dream

The Wings (9-30) begin a four-game road trip Friday against the Atlanta Dream at Gateway Center Arena. Tipoff is set for 6:30 p.m. CT on ION.

Dallas enters the matchup after falling 101-95 to the Connecticut Sun on Wednesday, a game in which James left with an injury after scoring 22 points and matching her career high with six assists. Atlanta (24-14) is also coming off a loss, dropping an 81-75 decision at home to the Las Vegas Aces. Brionna Jones led the Dream with 19 points in that contest.

The Dream lead the season series 2-1 after edging Dallas 88-85 in their most recent meeting on July 30. Naz Hillmon scored 21 points to lead Atlanta, while Bueckers matched her with 21 for the Wings.

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Grant Afseth

Senior Writer

Grant Afseth is a Senior Writer for DallasHoopsJournal.com, where he leads in-depth coverage of the Mavericks, Wings, and more. Between a focus on the latest news, closer looks at games, front office strategy, and more, Afseth provides objective coverage. Afseth contributes broader NBA coverage across platforms and has been cited in national outlets for his reporting and analysis. With nearly a decade of journalism experience, Afseth has covered the NBA and WNBA for multiple major outlets, including Athlon Sports, BallIsLife, Sportskeeda, and RG.org. He previously reported on the Indiana Pacers for CNHI’s Kokomo Tribune and the Mavericks for FanNation.

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