The Dallas Wings‘ challenging 2025 season continues to plague the team.
On August 24, the Wings suffered a 90-81 defeat to the Golden State Valkyries, dropping their record to 9-29.
It was the fifth straight loss for Dallas, extending a troubling stretch in which the Wings have dropped 10 of their last 11 games.
For 2025 WNBA Rookie of the Year frontrunner Paige Bueckers, the night was another reminder of the inconsistencies that have plagued her team’s season.
Bueckers managed just 9 points on 3-of-12 shooting, though she did contribute nine assists. Coming off a career-high 44-point explosion against the Los Angeles Sparks on August 20, Bueckers has totaled only 20 points across her last two games.
While Bueckers‘ performance drew attention, the focus also turned to how she was officiated.
Earlier this month, Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham called out WNBA referees for giving Bueckers what she saw as an uneven whistle.
“Those refs were giving her every freaking whistle last night. Like, you literally couldn’t touch her. Couldn’t touch her. And that s–t is so annoying to me. And if you’re gonna do that, give it to our guards. I just hate the inconsistency,” Cunningham said.
Dallas coach Chris Koclanes echoed concerns about officiating after Sunday’s defeat, highlighting the physicality Bueckers has faced in the paint.
Via Melissa Triebwasser on X, Koclanes said: “She was attacking the rim and playing in the paint downhill. For her to only go to the free throw line two times, something is off there… I don’t agree with that.”
The challenge of protecting star players
Koclanes also took a moment to draw attention to what he described as excessive physical play against Bueckers.
“It’s physical, the whistle is not going our way, and I see [Paige] just get run over… She’s boxing out, and just getting absolutely run over and thrown to the ground. Like, how many times does she have to be on the ground for us to start protecting her and cleaning up the physicality?” he said.
Koclanes has faced scrutiny during the 2025 season for moments when his team appeared outmatched and for some questionable decisions on the sidelines.
Critics have suggested he may have more than he can handle on his plate as a first-year head coach. Still, his defense of Bueckers shows a consistent commitment to protecting his roster.
Yet, despite his efforts, the Wings continue to struggle in the standings.
With just five games left before the regular season concludes, Dallas will need more than strong player advocacy if they want to come out on top.
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