Paige Bueckers and the Dallas Wings are off to the worst start for an WNBA franchise, with an awful 1-8 record that has them in last place of the Western Conference.
Head coach Chris Koclanes understands the big challenge ahead and the poor performances his team has given. “Just trying to figure it out and it seems we can’t get everybody on the same page. No, I’m not going to make excuses, I won’t chalk it up, it hurts when you don’t have a Paige and a Ty Harris,” the leader said its latest defeat against the Los Angeles Sparks 93-79.
The franchise selected University of Connecticut guard Paige Bueckers with the No. 1 overall pick in the WNBA Draft 2025. The highly decorated generational talent led the Huskies to their 12th NCAA Championship as she hopes to make history in the league.
Paige Bueckers’ teammate pulls rival’s hair during a dirty play
The Dallas Wings recent loss to the Los Angeles Sparks sparked controversy after guard DiJonai Carrington pulled a dirty move on her opponent. The Dallas player was trying to grab her teammate’s pass in the paint, but the ball was knocked away by Sparks defender Sarah Ashlee Barker.
Carrington, who was off balance during the play, took a tumble to the court, and as she fell she grabbed Barker’s shoulder and then seemed to grab her hair. Dallas Wings announcer Ron Thulin was immediately taken aback by Carrington’s foul:
“Whoa!” Thulin said on the broadcast. “If she would’ve had extensions, it would’ve come off.” DiJonai was called for a loose ball foul, but nothing more. She finished the game with a team-high 16 points as well as seven turnovers, one of the reasons why her team lost.
A rookie is shining for the Wings
Center Luisa Geiselsöder posted her finest outing since joining the WNBA with her first career double-double of 11 points and a game-high 10 rebounds, while fellow newcomer JJ Quinerly also posted career bests with 14 points and four assists.
On the night, the Dallas Wings shot 42.5 percent from the field, 30 percent from three and a perfect 11-11 from the free-throw line. The Texas team registered 24 assists on 31 makes, led by Geiselsöder’s team-high six dimes. Dallas outrebounded LA 35-30, with Kaila Charles grabbing a season-high six boards.
Dallas remains at home on Sunday to face the Minnesota Lynx for the third time this season. Sunday’s game is the Wings annual Pride Celebration. The first 4,000 fans at College Park Center receive a free fanny pack.
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