The last time the Dallas Wings faced the Washington Mystics, their 2 game win streak came to a halt in an 88-91 OT loss that felt more like a wrestling match than a basketball game. The Wings had committed 33 fouls, which was a clear indication that their depleted roster wasn’t equipped to handle the physicality. To add to that, their starting group raised serious questions. Where was the urgency? Where was the intensity? Then came the game against Atlanta. The Wings looked like they’d finally found their groove. They ended up winning, but the performance later had “fluke” scribbled all over it. Their next against Indiana saw the same movie replayed: flat start, visible confusion, and a whole lot of head-shaking.

“It’s disappointing the way we started that game. It was just extremely disappointing, um, how we came out flat, uh, and that we needed that to get us going, um, and part of, so that’s on me, you know, in terms of getting that locker room ready and making sure that they’re motivated and they’re ready to perform from the tip,” Koclanes said after the game. If that quote feels familiar, it’s because it’s almost a copy-paste of what he said after the Mystics game. Even Paige Bueckers had chimed in with the same tune. So naturally, when the rematch with the Mystics came up on the calendar, you can picture Koclanes pacing in the locker room, gnawing at his nails and mentally preparing his starting squad. But wait, not just because of a fear of déjà vu.

As fate would have it, another name was added to Dallas’ ever-growing injury list. And not just any name – Paige Bueckers herself – their most promising starter yet, who has scored in double digits in all her games. So, you can bet Koclanes let out an exasperated, “Well, there goes the starting group… again.” Yet, while another injury is the last thing the Wings needed, it opened the door for someone else to step up. And that someone? JJ Quinerly. Now, you’d think Bueckers’ replacement would get technical, detailed advice on how to deal with the Mystics. But nope! This time, it was as simple as it gets.

Speaking in a pregame interview, Quinnerly was asked if the former Lady Husky had given her any advice ahead of the game.“Go out there and do what you got to do,” Quinnerly said about the advice Paige gave her! “I mean, there’s really not too much to it. You got to go out there and play the game.”

Since the Mystics game on June 22, Quinerly played 24 minutes of basketball action and had just 7 points. She was yet to start a single game for the Wings this season. But with the team down to just 8 fit players, it was the only given option. And she didn’t disappoint! The Wings came out firing, finishing the first quarter with a dominant 28-9 lead, earning a well-deserved standing ovation from the home crowd. And the shining star? Quinerly, who took jump shots, assisted, grabbed rebounds, and made free throws.

Much like Paige Bueckers, JJ Quinerly was part of the Wings’ 2025 draft class, snagged at 27th overall following a standout senior year at West Virginia. In Dallas, though, she’d mostly been warming the bench, logging just 7.5 minutes and 3.4 points per game. But with Paige ruled out, alongside Tyasha Harris, Maddy Seigrist, DiJonai Carrington, Teaira McCowan, and Luisa Geiselsoder – it was finally Quinerly time. And well, did that door swing wide open.

That advice from Paige Bueckers clearly paid off for JJ. Quinerly had a career-high 15 points on 4-of-6 shooting. Stepping in for Paige, she didn’t miss a beat! Her playmaking was on full display with 4 assists to her name. Early on, she was even rocking a +13 while on the floor, the best in the game at that point, better than sure-shot RoTY candidates like Kiki Iriafen and Sonia Citron. The Wings, despite all their issues, came out with a 79-71 win. JJ’s was the kind of performance that makes you double-check the roster and wonder. Should the Wings be thinking about sliding her in next to Paige Bueckers and Arike Ogunbowale more often?

That said, the Wings fans will be crossing their fingers, hoping to see their rookie superstar back in action soon. Just how serious is Paige Bueckers’ knee issue? Well, Coach Koclanes offered some insight. Let’s take a look at that!

Coach Koclanes gives an injury update on Paige Bueckers

When the Underdog WNBA page released the news about Paige being sidelined for the game against the Mystics with a knee injury, it sent shockwaves through the entire community. Everyone knows about Paige’s struggle with injuries, which was the reason behind her 1-year delay to the W. But Coach Koclanes has some reassuring updates for the fans!

“Just precautionary,” Koclanes said about Bueckers’ injury. “Some soreness. We’re doing our due diligence of managing what’s best for her long-term health.” This will be the fifth game the number 1 overall pick will miss in her debut W season.

With Quinerly stepping up in a big way during Paige’s absence, the real question now is if she will continue to see extended minutes once Paige returns, or if she will slide back into her usual bench role. If she does start, then the bench playmakers’ lineup might look sort of thin. But with a smart rotation where Koclanes keeps substituting, JJ could end up answering the team’s woes. What do you think? Drop your thoughts in the comments below!