Tyasha Harris Fully Practices as Dallas Wings Build Foundation Before Season

The Dallas Wings ramped up preparations for the 2025 WNBA season with a high-energy training camp practice Monday focused on defensive intensity, lineup flexibility, and team-wide leadership.

The session also emphasized fundamentals, as the team continues to build its identity under new head coach Chris Koclanes.

“We’re continuing to talk about not getting ahead of ourselves and not skipping any steps,” Koclanes said. “So really focusing in on our fundamentals, our anchors on both sides of the ball, so that we can get really great in those areas — and then we can continue to add and build and get more complex.”

Maddy Siegrist described Monday’s practice as a well-rounded session focused on building chemistry and sharpening execution on both ends.

“Little bit of everything,” Siegrist said. “Obviously, defense has been a big focus this week, but just being in the right spot offensively, just continuing to build the chemistry altogether.”

NaLyssa Smith noted that the team is beginning to click on both ends of the floor, particularly as communication and defensive energy improve.

“We’re finally putting the pieces together,” Smith said. “It’s starting to look good for us. We’re communicating a lot more. We’re being more aggressive on defense. We’re playing together. So everything’s just kind of flowing right now.”

Tyasha Harris Returns from Injury

The day also marked the return of point guard Tyasha Harris to full-contact practice, offering a steadying presence as the Wings refine both ends of the floor. After missing time due to a left knee injury, Harris participated in live drills for the first time during camp. Entering her sixth WNBA season, she averaged 10.5 points and 3.0 assists in 39 games last season, bringing steady leadership and floor management to the backcourt.

“She sure did [practice]. Yep. She’s in there mixing it up — easing her back in, but it was full contact,” Koclanes said. “She went live against our shells and against the guys, and she responded well.”

Harris’ presence has provided calm leadership from the sidelines despite her inability to play. Koclanes has a lot of confidence in what Harris brings, including her ability to initiate the offense, create shots for teammates, score, and play off the ball.

“She’s incredible. She’s been great on the sidelines — super high IQ — so you wouldn’t have noticed that she hasn’t practiced with us yet because she’s just that smart of a player and can absorb things,” Koclanes said. “She brings a calming presence to everybody. She can fill gaps, play comfortably off the ball, dominate the ball, and get us into our sets. And if things get a little wacky, she can bring everyone together — chill. We’re good.”

Smith echoed the sentiment: “She’s just that smart of a player and can absorb things. You wouldn’t have noticed she hadn’t practiced with us yet.”

Dallas Wings’ Defensive Identity Comes Into Focus

The Wings are determined to take a leap defensively after ranking 12th in the league in defensive rating last season, allowing 111.7 points per 100 possessions. Opponents shot 47.5% from the field against Dallas — the highest mark allowed in the WNBA — while the team surrendered a league-worst 92.1 points per game.

“We’re finally putting the pieces together,” Smith said. “It’s starting to look good for us.”

Siegrist highlighted the group’s collective length and quickness as a key strength, providing reason to believe there will be improvement defensively.

“We’re real long—long and quick,” Siegrist said. “So I think whenever you can be disruptive on defense, that obviously helps. And defense leads to offense — and who doesn’t like getting out on a fast break?”

Veteran additions, including DiJonai Carrington, are setting the tone. Carrington, the 2024 Most Improved Player and the lone guard named to the WNBA All-Defensive First Team last year, averaged career highs with 12.7 points, 5.0 rebounds, 1.6 assists, and 1.6 steals per game.

“DiJonai is probably one of the best defenders in the league,” Siegrist said. “To have somebody like that in your ear — and in everyone’s ear — is huge.”

Smith expanded on Carrington’s approach, praising her as a tone-setter due to her clear desire to impact the game.

“I think just the will to want to play defense,” Smith said of Carrington. “A lot of people don’t embrace defense, and she really embraces that. She knows that’s what she’s great at. So she always has high energy, and she wants to play defense. So I think that’s what makes her great.”

Teaira McCowan’s Role & Small Ball Lineups

While the Wings explore smaller lineups, the importance of Teaira McCowan as a dominant post presence remains unchanged. In a season marred by injuries, McCowan was one of the Wings’ most consistent players last season, averaging 11.7 points, 8.1 rebounds, and 0.9 blocks in 25.3 minutes per game.

“We need T to continue to put pressure on the defense by running hard in transition and being the presence that she is on the block and in the paint,” Koclanes said. “And we’ve got to help her as well — she’s got to help herself, and we’ve got to put her in positions where she can succeed,” Koclanes added. “I know teams don’t like seeing her out there — and that’s their problem. She’s tough to guard.”

Koclanes and his staff are evaluating various lineup combinations, including small-ball units featuring Smith or Myisha Hines-Allen at the five, with Siegrist shifting from small forward to power forward. Smith is prepared to make an impact regardless of position.

“Any position they put me in, I’m going to embrace my role and try to do it to the best of my ability,” Smith said. “Scoring from the block is kind of what I do, so I think it wouldn’t be that bad of an adjustment.”

Smith added that smaller lineups could boost tempo and switching capabilities.

“I think it just brings speed. We can get up and down the floor a lot more. We could switch a lot more on the defensive end. So I think it would be good for us if we embrace that a little bit.”

Siegrist’s offseason success with Athletes Unlimited helped her prepare for lineup versatility. During the 2024 season, Siegrist averaged 9.4 points and 3.3 rebounds in 23.9 minutes per game, shooting 50.5% from the field and 27.0% from three-point range. In the Wings’ preseason opener, she scored 11 points on 50% shooting, signaling continued progress in her offensive game.

“In AU, I played one through five, so I got experience at everything,” she said. “I defended Izzy Harrison a lot, and also players like Crystal Bradford, who are versatile at the four-five or three-four. It gave me a lot of different looks and experiences. And it helped me understand where to be defensively too.”

Entering the season, Siegrist is also focused on improving her perimeter shooting. She desires to convert at a higher clip and increase the volume of her shots. She averaged 1.4 shots from deep last season. She mentioned adjustments to her shooting mechanics, which will help her get up.

“My biggest focus was becoming more versatile. I worked a lot on three-point shooting — being able to take more, make more, and get it off quicker,” Siegrist said. “Hopefully, you know, three-point attempts and me — that would be good. Let’s bring the percentage up a little bit. I’ll be happy then.”

Paige Bueckers Impresses With Early Poise

Rookie guard Paige Bueckers has already begun to establish herself as a facilitator and shot-maker. It has been a simple process for teammates like Siegrist to learn Bueckers’ tendencies and capabilities.

“Yeah, I mean, obviously, she definitely finds people who are open, so it’s been fun playing with her,” Siegrist said. “Obviously, got to watch her a lot. At Villanova, we only played a couple times, and then watching her the last couple years, but I’m super excited that she’s on our team and she’s a great player. She’s just gonna continue to grow as a player as well.”

It’s been practically instant that Smith felt Bueckers’ impact as a game-changing talent in practice.

“Paige comes in and she makes an impact directly,” Smith said. “She’s going to shoot the ball, she’s going to facilitate, and she’s going to make her team better. So, my experience with Paige so far has been great.”

Coaching Staff Finds Balance and Voice

Koclanes, in his first season as WNBA head coach, is still refining how he assigns responsibilities to his staff.

“We’re really empowering Nola Henry to have a voice on the defensive side of the ball,” he said. “I’m going to continue to empower her in games, in huddles, and in the film room so we have balance. I found myself in huddles not getting to the defense enough — just focusing on offense — so that’s evolving.”

“It’s my first time managing a staff, so I’m not gonna get it right off the bat,” he added. “And I’m already feeling through game one, feeling what I needed and already making adjustments.”

Koclanes credited Camille Little — a 13-year WNBA veteran and former champion — for her role as a communicator and mentor.

“It’s invaluable having someone like Camille, who has walked in their shoes, competed at the highest level, and did it for a long time,” he said. “She already commands their respect. She’s a bridge — helping relay the message and also telling me what she feels. She knows what the locker room’s like after two-a-days, how they’re feeling. She’s making me better every single day and ultimately helping our players have a better experience.”

Dallas Wings Roster Decisions Loom

With preseason underway, Koclanes acknowledged that final roster decisions are fast approaching.

“It’s hard. These last cuts aren’t going to be easy,” he said. “Lots of conversations with our GM group about what the roster’s going to look like and what players nine through 12 can add and bring to our culture in such a foundational year. You balance the on-court with some of the intangibles and look at it holistically.”

He also confirmed that lineup flexibility will remain a feature throughout the season.

“Players like knowing if they’re starting or what time in the game they’re coming in,” Koclanes said. “So there’s a balance between giving them predictability but also having flexibility as a staff to respond to what’s happening in the game and throw different combinations out there.”

The Wings continue training camp this week before their final preseason game on May 10 against the Toyota Antelopes. Final roster decisions are expected shortly after as the team prepares for its May 16 regular season opener against the Minnesota Lynx.