The Wings of Dallas were just beginning to take off. With three wins in five games, things were looking up. Arike Ogunbowale was regaining her 2024 form, and Paige Bueckers was gelling in with the rest of the team. Slowly but surely, injuries have eroded the depth of this squad. This was really bad timing for an injury crisis to strike. Maddy Siegrist was the first to fall. She fractured her anterolateral tibial plateau in her right knee, which she sustained against the Mercury earlier in June.

Di Jonai Carrington suffered a freak rib injury when she drew in a late charge against the Connecticut Sun. She has been out ever since. Those are two of the key pieces the team has been playing without. Siegrist was looking good in a more important role before her injury, and Carrington was chipping in with key points. Now, one of their best players seems to be nursing a long-term injury.

Ogunbowale missed her first game of the season due to a thumb injury suffered in a matchup against the Washington Mystics. She was unable to take part in their previous game against the Mercury, and the general mood was that this was a minor injury. However, Arike is set to miss her second matchup of the season in the rematch against the Mercury. She, along with Carrington, is set to headline the injury report once again. However, it was expected, as two days ahead of the rematch, neither Ogunbowale nor Carrington practiced on Saturday, ClutchPoints’ Joey Mistretta reported.

“Hurt her hand in that game there (vs. Washington). So just being extremely cautious and waiting for more news from the medical team on what that looks like long-term,” said Wings head coach Chris Koclanes regarding Ogunbowale.

Ogunbowale, one of the most dynamic scorers in the WNBA, is averaging 16.8 points, 3.9 assists, and 2.7 rebounds per game, though she is shooting just 36.3% from the field. While she has faced some difficulty adjusting to the new system implemented by head coach Chris Koclanes, her leadership remains a key asset. She continues to support the team in every way possible, particularly through her mentorship of rookie Paige Bueckers, who has made an explosive entrance into the league.

Even while dealing with injuries, the Wings are showing remarkable resilience. Arike’s presence has been vital in maintaining morale and development, especially for younger players like Bueckers. Her influence off the court has been just as impactful as her performance on it. Despite a depleted roster and only eight players available, the Wings managed an impressive upset over the Phoenix Mercury on Thursday. Paige Bueckers and Aziaha James combined for 51 points in the win. James also contributed six rebounds and six assists, while center Li Yueru added a strong performance with 12 points and 11 rebounds for another double-double.

How Are The Wings Coping With Their Injury Crisis?

Faced with a relentless string of injuries, the Dallas Wings have refused to crumble. Instead, they are responding with resilience, energy, and the emergence of new talent ready to seize the moment. To stabilize their short-handed roster, the Wings recently signed forward Liatu King to a rest-of-season contract through a hardship exception.

The six-foot Notre Dame standout was selected 28th overall by the Los Angeles Sparks in the 2025 WNBA Draft. She appeared in 12 games with the Sparks, averaging 3.0 points and 2.1 rebounds while shooting 50 percent from the field before being waived on June 28. Now, King joins a Wings team that badly needed frontcourt depth.

The injury crisis has also opened the door for others to step up, and two players have done just that. Li Yueru, since her unexpected release from the Seattle Storm, has emerged as the most reliable center on the roster. In seven games with the Wings, she is averaging 7.4 points and 7.0 rebounds, making her presence felt on both ends of the court. Aziaha James has turned into an offensive force, leading the team in scoring in consecutive games, including a breakout performance with 28 points, 6 assists, and 6 rebounds. The recent return of Luisa Geiselsöder and Teaira McCowan from EuroBasket has only added fuel to the fire. Both made an immediate impact in their first game back, providing much-needed size, toughness, and experience to a team that has relied heavily on its young core.

Among that young core, the rookies not named Paige Bueckers are quickly making names for themselves. JJ Quinerly, in her first career start, delivered 15 points and 4 assists. She followed that up with an even stronger outing, scoring 17 points, dishing out 7 assists, and grabbing 5 rebounds. James, meanwhile, continues to shine as one of the team’s most consistent and dynamic scorers. The two combined to provide the Wings a win without their star guard Paige Bueckers against the Mystics.

Despite being tested by injuries and roster instability, the Dallas Wings are finding their identity. They are evolving into a team defined by depth, toughness, and fearlessness. Ogunbowale remains out, but the team is not waiting for their regulars to come back; they are marching on to revive their season. While their veterans will make a difference in this well-gelled side, they don’t have time for ifs and buts. Bueckers and Co. are carving their own path.