After starting the season 1-9, it’s only natural that whispers about Dallas’ locker room harmony started knocking at every door in the league. But DiJonai Carrington was quick to swat away any gossip. “Even though we’re losing right now, like, there’s no problems in the locker room,” she said. “You’re still like, ‘All right, we’re trying to figure it out.” And it’s not just her; many Wings players have been echoing that same mentality lately. Arike Ogunbowale is one of them. However, her take came with a pinch of realism.

Meanwhile, Head Coach Chris Koclanes has his eye on a different culprit, one that is sneaky enough to run away if not pointed at directly. And from how he phrased his words, it was clear he hadn’t quite made the link. However, in his defense, the question demanded that “quantifiable” answer.

After yet another loss, this time to the Lynx, a reporter asked Koclanes the hard-hitting question. “Besides the fact the point guards Paige and Ty are out, how do you guys just limit turnovers? because tonight the assistant to turn ratio was negative.” Without missing a beat, Koclanes responded, “A couple games in a row now today, I think we were under 30% from the paint. And then are we seeing the kicks when we get there? So that’s our growth opportunity.” In short, the team’s offense is stuck in traffic.

Well, with primary ball-handlers like Bueckers and Harris sidelined, decision-making has become a clear weakness. However, Chris Koclanes might just be missing what Arike Ogunbowale is trying to hint at. When Arike was asked what it’s been like adjusting to a new system and new teammates, she didn’t exactly scream, “everything’s peachy“.

“We’re just building you know,” she said. “We couldn’t have expected it to go perfect right away. Obviously, it’s been a lot of tough times, but we’re still building. We’re still sticking together.” That subtle “obviously” spoke volumes. And while she fed into everyone’s mind the roadmap that needs to be followed, she also made it clear that everyone’s been doing a good job – they just need to do a better one.

“Everybody’s stepping up. JJ had a great game. I think two games in a row. She’s showing what she can do, and she’s doing really well, especially with our point guards out.” Now, that kind of compliment couldn’t have come at a better time. Rookie JJ Quinerly has been handed the keys with both Bueckers and Ty sidelined. When she was drafted, many called her pairing with the team “a match made in heaven,” and it’s already proving true. But here’s the thing: for JJ to truly step up, she needs to find her rhythm with the team, and she’s already made that clear before making any huge promises.

The larger share of “stepping up” lies with Chris Koclanes and Wings’ veterans. After all, the grace period is officially over. As a first-year head coach, Koclanes can no longer rely on needing time to settle in with a new squad. And it’s now on the veterans to step up, not just on the court, but off it as well. Brushing off rumors isn’t enough. If they want to protect their rookies from shouldering all the pressure, they need to lead by example. Just as Myisha Hines Allen suggested earlier, saying, “What Nai does defensively, like she’s the head of the snake. So, I mean we’re leaning on a lot of players to step up and do different things that maybe if some players were playing they wouldn’t necessarily have to do.”

Arike Ogunbowale’s Rookie Backcourt Faces the Pressure

JJ Quinerly’s getting a crash course in WNBA point guard duties. Because what she has been managing is not your typical rookie workload. With both Bueckers and Harris sidelined, the first-year guard suddenly finds herself running Dallas’ offense. “I played point guard before in college. One in the two, but it’s a different game of course.” Quinerly admitted, and it made total sense because the W is a different league altogether.

She continued, “So definitely starting to figure out the comfortability with that first group. And with Arike and trying to get her the ball and get her to her spots. And of course everybody else on the court.” Even with those efforts, Dallas hasn’t been able to close. During this skid, they have twice given away fourth-quarter leads. First gifting Chicago their inaugural win, then squandering a five-point advantage against Seattle with eight minutes left.

Quinerly saw the progress in their latest game against the Lynx, though. She said, “I think our defensive intensity like it was in that third quarter, I think if we keep building off that, we’ll definitely get better for sure.” That intensity echoes the one she carried during her time in West Virginia. She averaged between 2.6 to 3.1 steals per game there and regularly took on top scorers.

Now the real test is whether she can replicate that intensity here, in the pros. And whether she will receive enough support.