Just days after clearing concussion protocol and shaking off an illness, Paige Bueckers finally made her long-awaited return to the court this Thursday. “Battled some stuff, glad to be back. Excited to keep building, get back on the court,” she said. And honestly, that excitement? You could see it in every move she made. The rookie didn’t just return; she exploded, dropping a career-high 35 points against the Phoenix Mercury.

Still, Bueckers’ heroics couldn’t prevent the Wings from falling short. They lost 80-93, marking their 10th defeat in 11 games, and further solidified their position at the bottom of the league. But if the Wings have learned anything this season, it’s that they must remain hopeful, and Bueckers’ full-throttle performance offered more than a glimmer. What about the recent update, though? Will that topple everything?

DiJonai Carrington injury update

It all unfolded in the fourth quarter of the Wings’ matchup against the Phoenix Mercury. Lexi Held made a bad pass, which was stolen by DiJonai Carrington. But almost immediately, the same ball slipped away as Satou Sabally stole it right back.

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As evident in several photos, Carrington’s hand got stuck underneath Sabally while she held the ball during the scuffle for possession. The pain on Carrington’s face said it all. Though the game continued until the Mercury reached 93 points, it appears that’s the exact moment when Carrington sustained her shoulder injury. However, no official statements have outlined the specific details as of now.

The injury is not considered major, as she’s currently listed as probable for the upcoming game against the Aces. However, since the injury occurred just a day before the next matchup, there’s a chance she might not suit up immediately.

If that happens, the Wings would be missing out on more than just her 12.5 points per game. Carrington’s impact goes far beyond the scoreboard. The 2024 WNBA Most Improved Player is known for her physical play and defensive toughness, averaging 4.6 rebounds, 1.9 assists, and 1.2 steals per game. Even in the contest against the Mercury, she put up a solid performance—11 points, eight rebounds, and four assists, along with two personal fouls. But Carrington isn’t the only setback.

How does Dallas Wings have minimal chances of winning in the upcoming game?

According to the latest update from team reporter Joey Mistretta, the injury situation for the Dallas Wings just got even more complicated. The team will be without three key players heading into their Friday matchup, and that’s on top of an already depleted roster.

First up is Myisha Hines-Allen, who’s currently dealing with a right knee issue. She was only able to participate in parts of practice this week, making her status uncertain for the near future. Then there’s Tyasha Harris, who injured her left knee back on May 27 during what’s still the Wings’ only win of the season against the Connecticut Sun.

Initially, Harris tried to play through the pain and was listed day-to-day. But after further evaluation, she underwent knee surgery on June 10 in  Texas. And while the procedure went well, and a full recovery is expected, she’s officially out for the rest of the 2025 season. And, that’s a major blow for Dallas as the 27-year-old had been a bright spot off the bench, shooting over 45% from deep and filling in as the team’s primary backup point guard.

Adding to the growing list of absences is Teaira McCowan, who temporarily left the team to represent Turkey in the upcoming FIBA Women’s EuroBasket tournament. She departed around June 7, and her return is expected sometime in early July, likely just before the Wings’ July 3 rematch against the Mercury. All these absences mean that Dallas is now operating with just eight active players. The challenge ahead is steeper than ever.

Offensively, the Wings have actually shown some promise, averaging 81.5 points per game, which ranks seventh in the league. But it’s on the other end of the floor where they’ve really struggled as giving up 88.5 points per game, making them the third-worst defense in the WNBA. And with Carrington possibly sidelined, that number could climb even higher. But despite a six-game losing streak and a 1-10 record, there’s still hope. With a road game up next and Bueckers back in the lineup, maybe—just maybe—Dallas can flip the script and start turning things around.