DHJ Quick Take: Maddy Siegrist Draws Start With Alanna Smith Out
- Smith Out: Forward Alanna Smith has been ruled out against the Las Vegas Aces at College Park Center with an illness.
- Siegrist Steps In: Maddy Siegrist will start in Smith’s place in the frontcourt.
- A Notable Absence: Smith, the reigning WNBA Co-Defensive Player of the Year, has started all 7 games this season.
ARLINGTON, Texas — The Dallas Wings will be without Alanna Smith against the Las Vegas Aces on Thursday at College Park Center, with Maddy Siegrist drawing the start in her place.
Smith, ruled out with an illness, has started all 7 games for the Wings this season, anchoring the frontcourt at the five. She has averaged 3.7 points, 3.4 rebounds, and 2.0 assists in 17.4 minutes per game.
Smith’s absence is one of several roster developments for Dallas on Thursday. Paige Bueckers will play after being listed with a left leg designation that lists her as probable, while Arike Ogunbowale remains a game-time decision due to an illness. Azzi Fudd, fresh off a record-setting 24-point performance in New York, will start regardless of Ogunbowale’s status.
Maddy Siegrist Steps Into The Starting Lineup
Siegrist has averaged 6.1 points, 2.0 rebounds, and 0.7 assists in 13.1 minutes per game across 7 appearances this season, shooting 45.0% from the field. Her top outing came on May 14 against the Minnesota Lynx, when she scored 17 points on 7-of-11 shooting in 16 minutes.
Siegrist said the move into the starting lineup doesn’t change her preparation.
“I think the goal is to be prepared every single game, whatever that is. Whether that’s you’re going to play a few minutes or you’re going to play the whole game, in every role you just want to be prepared for whatever comes your way,” Siegrist said. “Every game is kind of a life of its own. You never know what to expect, especially against a really strong team.”
Siegrist, whose offensive efficiency has drawn attention around the league this season, said her growth has come from preparation.
“I think just being more comfortable. Obviously, each year you try to grow and become more confident and comfortable in the preparation you’re putting in,” Siegrist said. “For me, it’s the preparation, just working every single day, taking extra shots after practice, that kind of thing.”
A Frontcourt Challenge Against the Las Vegas Aces
Siegrist pointed to rebounding and interior defense as the priorities against an Aces frontcourt led by A’ja Wilson and NaLyssa Smith.
“Just rebounding, and obviously they have a really strong frontcourt. So we’ve got to do the best we can rebounding and defending. I think they have as good a frontcourt as anybody in the league does,” Siegrist said. “It’s hard to stop them. We’ve got to try to slow it down and make it as hard as possible.”
Jessica Shepard said the team would fill Smith’s absence collectively rather than asking one player to replace her.
“Obviously Alanna was Co-Defensive Player of the Year last year, so her presence on the court will be missed,” Shepard said. “But I think we obviously have Maddy, we have Awak, and we have Li who are all ready to step into more playing time. So I think it’s a collective effort when you’re missing a player. It’s not an individual that needs to fill in for another individual. It’s just a collective picking up the pieces that are missing that night.”
Jose Fernandez on Alanna Smith’s Difficult Stretch
Head coach Jose Fernandez said Smith, who has played through a mask due to a medical issue, deserves patience as she works through a slow start.
“We signed Alanna for a reason, right? There are so many things that go into someone’s performance, and she’s very hard on herself. She cares and she’s a winner,” Fernandez said. “And then asking her to guard arguably the toughest position in the world to guard in the WNBA, right? And also be great on the offensive end. So I think she needs to be shown some grace.”
Thursday’s Matchup
Tip-off is 7 p.m. CT on Prime. Las Vegas holds a 46-36 edge in the all-time series, and Dallas hasn’t beaten the Aces in the regular season since 2024.
More Wings Coverage on Dallas Hoops Journal
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- Dallas Wings Injury Report: Paige Bueckers, Alanna Smith Listed Ahead Of Las Vegas Aces Matchup
- Dallas Wings Practice Interviews: Paige Bueckers, Azzi Fudd And Jose Fernandez (May 27, 2026)
- ‘We Can Do Anything’: How Awak Kuier’s Two-Way Surge Is Giving Dallas Wings A Key Chess Piece
- Paige Bueckers On Azzi Fudd’s Breakout Game vs. New York Liberty: ‘We Knew It Was Only A Matter Of Time’
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