‘We Just Have to Be Better’: Dallas Wings Fall to Connecticut Sun Without Paige Bueckers as Injuries Pile Up

Grant AfsethAugust 28, 2025October 21, 2025no comment

Aziaha James, Dallas Wings, Connecticut Sun, WNBA

Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images

The Dallas Wings fought until the final buzzer, erasing a double-digit deficit and closing within two points in the final minute. But without Paige Bueckers, and with injuries continuing to strip away depth, Dallas came up short in a 101–95 loss to the Connecticut Sun on Wednesday night at College Park Center.

Bueckers, who went through morning shootaround and was upgraded to available after battling illness, was unexpectedly scratched just minutes before tipoff. Grace Berger replaced her in the starting lineup.

Aziaha James led the way with 22 points, six assists, five rebounds, and a steal, becoming the only rookie this season with multiple games of 20+ points, 5+ assists, and 3+ three-pointers made. Myisha Hines-Allen added a season-high 18 points with seven rebounds and two blocks off the bench. Amy Okonkwo, a late-season addition, scored in double figures for the second straight game, finishing with a career-best 14 points.

Maddy Siegrist and Haley Jones rounded out the five Wings in double figures, but Connecticut (10–28) countered with a balanced attack of their own, led by Leïla Lacan’s 22 points, six assists, and four steals. Marina Mabrey and Tina Charles combined for 36 points as the Sun outscored Dallas 62–40 across the middle quarters and converted 27-of-29 at the free-throw line.

Strong Start, Then Slippage

Dallas opened with a new starting group of Berger, James, Siegrist, Jones, and Luisa Geiselsöder after Bueckers was scratched just before tipoff due to illness. The group responded with energy, pushing to a 30–21 lead after one behind eight points from Jones and seven each from James and Hines-Allen.

“Early on, the ball moved well and we got good things off swings,” Jones said. “Defensively we had good edge in the first and fourth, but in the second quarter once they made their run, we fell back into old habits. The ball stuck and we played too much one-on-one. Defensively, we didn’t make it tough enough, and that limited our transition. They got easy shots at the rim and downhill. We needed to keep intensity for 40 minutes.”

The Sun flipped the script in the second. Mabrey and Charles each hit double figures in the frame, while Lacan’s layup capped a 19–6 run that gave Connecticut its first lead.

“They really pushed in transition and tested our defense,” Okonkwo said. “They got a lot of paint touches, and we put them on the foul line. It’s tough to win when a team shoots about 30 free throws.”

The Middle Quarters

Charles and Lacan kept the momentum in the third, combining for 14 points as the Sun extended their lead. Hines-Allen answered with eight points off the bench, while Berger pulled down four boards and Jones dished out three assists. Both teams shot over 50% in the period, but Dallas couldn’t close the gap — and the roster thinned further whe Geiselsöder was ruled out with a right shoulder injury.

“Transition was big,” Koclanes said. “They ran at our backs, and Lacan pushes tempo. Tina and Mabrey are tough one-on-one. And we put them on the line 30 times. That’s been our issue — being physical without fouling. We did some good things in stretches, but need more discipline.”

Siegrist said the overall defensive execution wasn’t enough: “We got them in the end with those defensive stops, but 101 points is not a good defensive performance. If we want to win games, we just have to be better.”

Fourth-Quarter Rally

Down double digits entering the fourth, Dallas made one final surge. James opened a 12–0 run with an and-one finish, Berger connected with Hines-Allen for a layup, and Okonkwo calmly sank two free throws to make it 95–93 in the final minute. James scored again to keep it a two-point game, but Mabrey and Charles sealed it at the line.

“I think we had better defensive intensity and got more stops,” Okonkwo said of the rally. “We held them to their lowest quarter, but we also made a couple mistakes that hurt us in closing.”

Koclanes praised his team’s resilience. “The fight in the fourth quarter to sit down and get stops — those shot clock violations were great,” he said. “We’ve got a lot of growth to make, but the group is committed.”

Culture Tested by Injuries

The Wings again found themselves shorthanded, with Bueckers and Ogunbowale out, and season-ending injuries to Tyasha Harris and JJ Quinerly. That’s opened the door for players like Jones, Berger, and Okonkwo to seize roles.

“Throughout the season we’ve had ups and downs, but never a problem with connectivity in the locker room,” Jones said. “It’s hard to see teammates go down, but it’s next man up. Nobody cares on other teams when people get hurt. We wish them the best recovery possible, but we’ll still show up Friday night and play with what we have.”

Jones said the front office and staff deserve credit for how hardship players have contributed: “It speaks to the culture here. The staff instills confidence and wants you to play your game. Amy’s been great these past two games. Everybody that’s come in has done a good job being aggressive and finding moments.”

Koclanes echoed that praise. “All credit to the front office — Kurt, Travis, Jasmine Thomas. They do a tremendous job identifying talent and making sure it’s a culture fit,” he said. “We’ve been lucky to add tremendous women who’ve seized it.”

Okonkwo has become a prime example. “I’m local — I live 12 minutes away and train at TCU. I pride myself on staying ready,” she 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.”

Koclanes said her impact has been vital: “Amy’s been fearless. Three straight double-digit games, efficient. We knew she could do it from college and internationally, and now she’s doing it here. I’m proud of her.”

Siegrist also pointed to the contributions of the younger core. “Aziaha and JJ, when she was playing, have done a great job handling their roles. With so many different lineups, one day you could be starting 30 minutes, the next just five,” she said. “Without Paige, Aziaha had to step up, and she did. She’s been great and positive every night.”

Still Fighting

Even with the playoffs out of reach, the Wings emphasized pride, growth, and their fans’ support.

“It’s our job, but also something we love,” Jones said. “Even though we’re not making the playoffs, there are still things to fight for. We can play spoiler, and we’re building for next season with a young core. It’s also about pride — we’re not going to roll over.”

She added that the home crowd has helped keep the team energized. “It definitely means a lot. The fans here in Dallas have embraced this team and all the new faces,” Jones said. “They’re in it every game, win or lose. They see the future we have, and I’m excited to have them and the new fans that keep coming.”

Koclanes said the message down the stretch remains clear: “Be present. It’d be easy to pack it in, but this team’s not doing that. They care. Everything we do is building culture. Success will come, but right now it’s about simplifying and staying connected while enjoying each other down the stretch.”

Up Next

The Wings (9–30) travel to face the Atlanta Dream at Gateway Center on Friday night. Tipoff is set for 6:30 p.m. CT on ION.

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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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