The Dallas Wings were hoping for a fresh start in 2025, but eight games in, their season has gone off the rails. A 1-7 record and a string of missed opportunities have left the team near the bottom of the WNBA standings.
Injuries to key guards Paige Bueckers and Tyasha Harris have exposed a lack of depth, while close losses are piling up in heartbreaking fashion.
Dallas seemed poised for a breakthrough against the Seattle Storm after building an 11-point lead in the third quarter. DiJonai Carrington had been aggressive all night, and the team looked set to claim a much-needed win. But Seattle stormed back, sparked by an Ezi Magbegor jumper, and eventually pulled off an 83-77 comeback.
Veteran forward Myisha Hines-Allen didn’t shy away from addressing the team’s struggles in her post-game remarks.
“I think it’s just showing up to work with the right mindset,” she said. “We talked about chemistry before, but that’s going to come with us playing in these close games. Once we weather this storm-no pun intended-it’s going to get us where we need to be.”
Defensive lapses proving costly in the clutch
Despite their poor record, the Wings have shown promise on offense. They rank fifth in the WNBA in offensive rating at 102.6, with Carrington and Arike Ogunbowale helping carry the load in Bueckers’ absence. But the issues begin on the other end of the court.
“I think that comes down to the defensive side,” Hines-Allen admitted. “We’re seeing that we can score the ball; we’re not getting enough stops, especially in crunch time… we have to learn how to get stops.”
Head coach Chris Koclane emphasized the importance of unity during tight contests, saying the team needs “just a togetherness… just a camaraderie that they’re building there in that locker room.”
So far, Dallas is 0-5 in games decided within five points in the final minutes. In those clutch moments, they’ve averaged just 3.2 points while shooting 22 percent. Those numbers are part of what separates potential playoff teams from lottery-bound squads.
Youth movement still finding its rhythm
The Wings‘ current roster is one of the youngest in the league, with an average age of just under 25. Only three players returned from last year, and the lack of continuity has been evident.
Ogunbowale, their most experienced player, hasn’t yet matched her production from last season, averaging 16.1 points per game compared to 22.2 last year.
Still, history offers hope. The Indiana Fever started 1-8 last season and rallied into playoff contention behind a young core. Dallas will aim to replicate that journey, especially with Bueckers expected to return later this year.
For now, it’s about learning how to close. The Wings have the talent and energy, but until they execute in critical moments, the losses will keep mounting. As Hines-Allen put it, “Once we weather this storm… it’s going to get us where we need to be.”
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