The Dallas Wings are struggling to find their identity. Despite being one of the league’s top rebounding teams, their defense is falling apart. They rank 10th in defensive efficiency, turn the ball over frequently, and allow easy perimeter points. In short: they dominate in the paint, but everything else is collapsing.
And in the middle of this chaos is Paige Bueckers – the young prospect who’s delivered solid numbers (18 points and 5 assists per game), yet hasn’t been able to shift the team’s trajectory. Why? Because she’s not alone in this crisis. Injuries to Arike Ogunbowale and DiJonai Carrington have left Dallas without two of its leaders, and the impact has been felt across the board.
The Bueckers experiment
With the stars sidelined, Bueckers has had the ball in her hands more than any other rookie this season. She’s shown poise and leadership, but the wins haven’t followed. Around her, other valuable pieces have emerged – like explosive shooting guard JJ Quinerly and center Li Yueru, who’s brought stability in the paint. Both have maximized their minutes.
So the question now is: what happens when the team is at full strength?
Head coach Chris Koclanes didn’t give a clear answer. Ahead of the matchup with Caitlin Clark and the Indiana Fever, he was asked whether Bueckers would continue to run point even when the team is healthy. His answer? Vague at best.
“We’re still exploring. I like Paige at the one, but I also like JJ handling the ball, with Arike and Paige on the wings. That combination can be very dynamic.”
Translation: nothing is set. Everything is up in the air.
Haley Jones enters to shake things up
Adding to this puzzle is a new figure: Haley Jones – a 6’1″ guard who has already played for three teams this season and is now getting a shot in Dallas. Her versatility allows her to play point guard, small forward, or even power forward, giving Koclanes a new tactical option.
“Haley can make things easier for us. You can move her around, use her as a screener, rotate her through positions. There’s room for creativity,” the coach explained. With her in the rotation, roles may shift even further.
Will DiJonai Carrington return at a key moment?
The biggest unknown heading into the Indiana game is the health of DiJonai Carrington. Last year’s Defensive Player of the Year and one of the team’s vocal leaders has been out with a rib injury. But there are signs of progress.
Carrington has already participated in non-contact practices, and when asked about her return, the coach simply said:
“DiJonai is day-to-day.”
In other words, she might be back just in time to face Caitlin Clark – in what could be one of the most intense games of the season.
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