The Dallas Wings face more lineup uncertainty as they begin a four-game road trip Friday against the Atlanta Dream. Rookie guard Paige Bueckers, who was scratched just before tipoff earlier this week, has been upgraded to available.
Bueckers was also upgraded to available ahead of Wednesday’s loss to the Connecticut Sun after participating in shootaround and a full warmup, but she was ruled out minutes before tipoff with an illness. Grace Berger stepped in as her replacement in the starting lineup.
Dallas Wings Injury Woes Pile Up
Bueckers is just one of eight players on the Dallas injury report. Aziaha James, who scored 22 points against Connecticut before leaving with a right ankle injury, is doubtful. Haley Jones, a steady starter since joining on hardship, is also doubtful due to a right knee issue.
Dallas will also be without Luisa Geiselsöder, who injured her shoulder on Wednesday. Long-term absences continue for Tyasha Harris, JJ Quinerly, Arike Ogunbowale, and Li Yueru, all recovering from knee injuries.
The heavy attrition has forced Dallas to use hardship contracts. Amy Okonkwo’s initial seven-day deal expired Thursday, but she was re-signed ahead of the game. Former UConn standout Christyn Williams joined on an extreme hardship contract. Both will be available on Friday.
Dallas Wings Lean on Resilience
Despite the adversity, the Wings have tried to maintain their identity through effort and adaptability.
“You’ve just got to come in every day ready to compete no matter what,” forward Myisha Hines-Allen said. “We’ve all been asked to adjust, to play different roles, to play through fatigue. Nobody’s healthy this deep in the year, but we can’t use that as an excuse. We still have to fight.”
Head coach Chris Koclanes echoed that sentiment, noting the group has had to sharpen its focus.
“Physical fatigue shows up mentally, and that leads to lapses in the scouting report and breakdowns in execution,” Koclanes said. “It forces us to be sharper about our identity. We can’t look at what we don’t have. We have to look at what we do have, and that’s a group that can still compete.”
Game Preview: Dallas Wings at Atlanta Dream
Dallas (9-30) takes on Atlanta (24-14) at Gateway Center Arena with tipoff scheduled for 6:30 p.m. CT on ION. The Dream holds a 2-1 edge in the season series, including an 88-85 win on July 30 when Naz Hillmon scored 21 points and Bueckers matched her with 21 for Dallas.
More Dallas Wings News & WNBA Rumors
- WNBA News: Dallas Wings Add Christyn Williams on Extreme Hardship Deal, Re-Sign Amy Okonkwo to Seven-Day Deal
- WNBA News: Amy Okonkwo to Sign New Seven-Day Hardship Deal as Dallas Wings Face Atlanta Dream
- WNBA News: Paige Bueckers Headlines Eight-Player Dallas Wings Injury Report Against Atlanta Dream
- WNBA News: “We Just Have to Be Better”: Dallas Wings Fall to Connecticut Sun as Injuries Pile Up
- WNBA News: Paige Bueckers Ruled Out Late Against Connecticut Sun, Grace Berger Starts for Dallas Wings
- WNBA News: “She Looks Very Composed”: Dallas Wings Encouraged by Serena Sundell’s First Practice Before Connecticut Sun Game
- WNBA News: Dallas Wings Focused on ‘Next Progression’ After Golden State Valkyries’ Aggressive Coverages Against Paige Bueckers
- WNBA News: “Our Locker Room Is Still Together”: Dallas Wings Push Through One of WNBA’s Most Injury-Ridden Seasons
- WNBA News: “She’s a Bucket”: Amy Okonkwo Quickly Making Impact for Dallas Wings on Hardship Contract
- WNBA News: “Paige Will Be a Unifier”: Curt Miller Details Dallas Wings’ Roster Plan Around Paige Bueckers
