Old habits die hard. Dallas Wings slipped into their start-of-the-season form in that third quarter against the Las Vegas Aces. Paige Bueckers and Co. were more or less able to keep up with Vegas till that third quarter. They let slip and the two-time champions capitalised, gaining a 20-point lead with just one quarter to go. Despite a late surge from the Wings, led by a determined effort from Paige Bueckers, the Aces managed to hold firm for a 90-86 victory. It marked the fourth straight loss for Dallas, bringing them dangerously close to slipping back into the struggles that plagued their early-season form. Yet, what makes this slide more frustrating is that their current level of play is far removed from those early stumbles. 

Bueckers finished the game with 20 points and 8 assists, along with 2 steals. Out of which 8 points and 4 assists came in that last quarter comeback attempt, but when you are up against an experienced A’ja Wilson at the top of her game, fighting an uphill battle, there is little one can do.  Following that self-inflicted loss, Chris Koclanes had a clear message for the players on how he wants this team to play. 

He told the media, “I think I want us to play faster, more consistently, uh, and with playing faster is making better decisions. So I want us to establish that pace and that tempo, and I think you saw it in stretches tonight. Uh, how fast can we get up and down the floor? Now find that balance of fast, fast. Okay, now slow it down to be able to still get into action and generate high-quality shots.”

The Wings have been true to that style throughout this season. They are the fifth fastest team in the league with 80.04 possessions per game and also have 13.1% of their points scored via fastbreaks, which is the sixth most in the league. And they can be even better. Bueckers has a lot more range in her passing than she has displayed so far; she needs support when it comes to scoring. To control the pace of the game, they need to be active on both ends of the court, and their defense has largely been letting them down.

Koclanes further said, “Our growth opportunity continues to be finding a physicality and being able to dictate and disrupt defensively without fouling. We just beat people to the free-throw line too much. And, you know, tonight it was the same story, right?” He concluded with, “So, we’ve got to have a better discipline.”

That is the core issue with Dallas trying to play an up-tempo style. Their defense simply cannot keep up, nor is it experienced enough to use physicality without getting into foul trouble. They currently rank second in the league with 20 personal fouls per game, a number that has haunted them all season. The pursuit of discipline has been ongoing, but with a roster as young as the Wings, that level of maturity takes time to develop.

Even when it came to defending against Wilson, Koclanes saw their struggles. “It’s one thing to talk about it. It’s another thing to execute it on the floor. So, we’ve got to learn and continue to grow together to find ways to disrupt great players.” 

What Chris Koclanes is aiming for, a blend of relentless pace with controlled execution to create high-quality looks, is a tall order. Drawing it up on paper is one thing, but replicating it consistently on the floor is another. The entire system depends heavily on sound decision-making, and that is where the inexperience of Dallas’ rookies becomes apparent. Until they gain more reps and learn to read the game instinctively, executing Koclanes’ vision will remain a work in progress.

Zooming Out, Wings Have A Solid Core To Build On

Losing stings. Losing streaks cut even deeper, and the Wings have felt plenty of both this season. They opened with four straight losses, hit a brutal seven-game skid shortly after, and now find themselves stuck in another four-game slide. But this is not a failure. It is part of the process.

This was never meant to be a year about chasing championships. It is a season of discovery, about figuring out who fits next to Paige Bueckers in the long-term vision. This is not about polishing a finished product. It is about pouring the foundation. And on that front, Dallas is making real progress.

The rookie class beyond Bueckers has stepped up. Aziaha James is showing real offensive upside, averaging 8.3 points and 2.8 assists while flashing creativity as a playmaker. Luisa Geiselsöder looks like a rare stretch five who can both shoot and defend. JJ Quinerly has been electric since being added to the starting lineup. Against a veteran Aces squad, she turned heads with 17 points, 4 assists, 5 steals, and 5 rebounds. Performances like that are not flukes, they are building blocks.

At the start of the season, all eyes were on Bueckers. She was the lone beacon of hope. But now she has help. Meanwhile, Arike Ogunbowale’s recent play raises real questions about her role moving forward. Talking about her struggles, Coach Koclanes said, “It’s balance, you know. She’s gonna get people’s best. They’re gonna be really physical with her, they’re not gonna allow her to move. So she’s gotta continue to find that balance of really working hard to get up the floor and get to spots and get off actions. And I’ve gotta continue to help her.” 

It might be time to pivot. Surround this promising rookie core with a couple of proven veterans, and Dallas could be on the verge of something real. Give these young players a full season under their belt. Let them mature, learn the game’s rhythm, and sharpen their decisions. With the free agent market opening up next year, Dallas has a golden chance to add key pieces that fit their high-tempo identity. If they make the right moves, this team will not just improve. They will be ready to compete.

In the end, the Dallas Wings are not a broken team, they are a team under construction. The losses sting, and the growing pains are real, but beneath the frustration lies a foundation with immense promise. Paige Bueckers is proving she can be the cornerstone, and with rising talents like James, Geiselsöder, and Quinerly stepping up, the future looks far from bleak. The vision Koclanes has for this team is bold, but not unrealistic. With more experience, better discipline, and smart additions in the offseason, the Wings could soon transform from a rebuilding squad into a serious contender.