Since the start of training camp, winning games wasn’t the top priority for the Dallas Wings and head coach Chris Koclanes. Instead, their main focus was something much simpler. “We’re continuing to talk about not getting ahead of ourselves and not skipping any steps,” Koclanes said. It made perfect sense, especially with a roster that had been completely rebuilt. So, with just three players returning from last season and not a single one over the age of 30, Wings started from scratch. But now, just two games into the season, the team has failed to even stay true to that one guiding principle.

It all comes up to Dallas playing at home, having a real shot at bouncing back. They trimmed a 15-point halftime deficit to just three early in the fourth quarter. But just when it looked like the momentum was swinging their way, everything unraveled. So, what went wrong?

According to Coach Koclanes, the breakdown came from a lack of discipline in execution. During a timeout, he urged his team to simplify and play smarter. “I challenged the team in one timeout. I think we can be tougher around the rim. I think as a team in general, you’ll get more calls if you put your chin right to the square and go high off the glass,” he shared. “And then we take the best shot available. So if that’s a three or a two, you know, trust your teammate, trust the play, make the simple play. And when you’re open, shoot.”

Wings, despite seeing some promising moments like a late third-quarter push and Bueckers leading the team with 19 points, struggled with some glaring issues: poor ball movement, rushed shot selection, and a frustrating lack of trips to the free-throw line.

After closing the gap to 64-61, Dallas managed just one field goal over a four-minute stretch. Meanwhile, Seattle responded with an 8-0 run that sealed the game.

So, while the Storm played composed and connected basketball, Dallas spiraled into rushed, contested looks. And that’s how they shot just 4-of-19 from beyond the arc (21.1%) and finished with a flat 37% from the field. Simply put, the players were forcing early shots instead of letting the offense develop.

And that impatience affected their shooting efficiency and meant fewer chances to draw fouls and get to the line—where they went just 13-of-19. The battle ended up at 79-71 and it was yet another loss for Wings. If you’re thinking the team might be improving by little in each game, the stats doesn’t reflect that.

Just consider, the team was far more efficient versus Lynx, shooting 45.5% from the field and 35.7% from three. But in today’s game? They were at 37% FG, whereas just 21.1% from deep against Seattle. Still, in both contests, Dallas failed to control the game. The team never lead by more than four and consistently played from behind. So the HC is rallying for a little more offensive presence and toughness.

“We’re gonna empower everybody to find their role offensively and the last thing I’m gonna do is, i want this team to score and to be hunting offense and not be shy,” he added to lay more emphasis.

Now Wings has a second loss in regular season and third in four total games, including the preseason. But despite the losses, if you ask Wings GM, he already saw it coming!

Despite visible loopholes, Dallas Wings GM remains hopeful

Coming off a 2024 season where they finished dead last in defensive rating, the Dallas Wings knew they had to make some serious changes. So, they made a bold move—bringing in DiJonai Carrington, one of the league’s premier defenders and a reigning All-Defensive First Teamer. To make all the planning sit well, newly recruited HC spent all preseason preaching a new mantra: “defensive identity,” “anchors,” and “not skipping steps.”

But once the real games began, all that talk seemed to unravel. Just take their early-season clash with the Minnesota Lynx. It was when Dallas gave up 99 points, the highest scoring total by any WNBA team this season. What’s worse? 81 of those points came in the first 30 minutes.

Even in their recent matchup with Seattle, the same cracks showed. While Wings started strong, holding a 26–25 lead after the first quarter, with 7:28 left in the second, Skylar Diggins-Smith knocked down a deep three to break a 30-all tie. And from that moment on, it was all Storm.

No doubt, it’s a frustrating pattern. Promising starts, but no staying power.

But, still, the Wings’ GM isn’t panicking just yet. “I think this is a team with a bit of a chip on their shoulder. They just need some time to gel and blend. It’s all new terminology. It’s an all-new system. But I’m excited about our core group and looking forward to it,” he said.

And there’s some truth to that. Nearly one-third of the Wings’ roster is made up of rookies, while the veterans are still adjusting to a new coaching staff and philosophy. Given that this unit has only been together since training camp, growing pains were inevitable.

But here’s the real question—how long will it take before “potential” turns into performance?