The Dallas Wings are heading into a tough stretch, and the question on everyone’s mind is: Will Paige Bueckers be back in action anytime soon? As they prepare to face the LA Sparks at the College Park Center in Arlington, TX, both teams are grappling with injuries that could tilt the balance in this crucial Western Conference showdown. The Wings are struggling to find their footing with a 1-7 record, while the Sparks, slightly ahead at 2-6, are looking to capitalize on any opening. With Bueckers’ status still uncertain due to concussion protocol, the stakes are higher than ever. So, who has the edge when these two battle it out?

Injury Report and Starting Lineups 

Injuries have shaped the storyline here. According to Dallas hoops reporter Grant Afseth, “Paige Bueckers: Out (Concussion Protocol), Tyasha Harris: Out (Left Knee).” Harris hurt her knee during the Wings’ May 27 win over the Connecticut Sun and has been sidelined since. Just two days later, Bueckers suffered a head injury in a May 29 loss to the Chicago Sky, entering concussion protocol and missing subsequent games, including the upcoming clash with the Sparks.

On the Sparks’ side, injuries have also been a major storyline. Head coach Lynne Roberts recently shared, “There’s no still no timetable for Brink’s return to game action, and while she’s done ‘a little bit’ of on-court work, she’s been limited to non-contact thus far,” as reported by independent WNBA writer Justin Russo. Cameron Brink tore her ACL and meniscus in June 2024, just 15 games into her rookie season, and though she has resumed non-contact drills, she remains out. Meanwhile, Rae Burrell suffered a right leg injury during the Sparks’ season opener on May 17 and is expected to be out six to eight weeks.

Starting lineups

Both teams will rely heavily on their starting fives to carry the load. The Wings will start Myisha Hines-Allen (#2), NaLyssa Smith (#1), Maddy Siegrist (#20), Arike Ogunbowale (#24), and DiJonai Carrington (#21).

For the Sparks, the lineup features Dearica Hamby (#5), Azura Stevens (#23), Odyssey Sims (#0), Kelsey Plum (#10), and Julie Allemand (#20).

Odyssey Sims has been a bright spot for LA, coming off a 32-point performance recently, ready to lead her team against Dallas. Kelsey Plum remains the Sparks’ top scorer, averaging 22.9 points per game with solid shooting percentages. On Dallas’s side, Arike Ogunbowale is the season’s leading scorer with 16.1 points per game and an impressive free-throw percentage of 89.3%.

Predictions: Bueckers-less Wings Vs Plum Sparks

When it comes to predictions, ESPN Analytics leans toward Dallas, giving them a 66.5% chance to win over the Sparks’ 33.6%. Both teams are currently on three-game losing streaks and are desperate to turn things around. Dallas’s defense and rebounding—averaging 35.9 rebounds per game compared to the Sparks’ 32.5—could be a deciding factor.

The Wings’ recent results reflect a hard-fought battle every night. Their last five games include a big win over Connecticut (109-87) but also close losses to Seattle and Chicago. The Sparks have had a similar roller coaster, with a recent win against Chicago but losses to Phoenix and Las Vegas.

With the 4 game regular season series opener set for June 7 in Arlington, all eyes will be on how these squads manage their injury challenges and who steps up when it matters most. Will Dallas find the spark it needs even without Bueckers? Can the Sparks overcome the absence of key players like Brink and Burrell to steal a win on the road?

This matchup might rest on who is better, Kelesy Plum or Arike Ogunbowale, and which team has better depth. So far, it’s the Wings that seem to be suited for a win 87-81, atleast according to us and ESPN’s matchup predictor.