The Dallas Wings are limping back to College Park Center for a Wednesday night clash against the Toronto Tempo. And “limping” is the word, because this team just dropped five of their last six games, taking their record to a shaky 19-14. When you’re staring down a 10-22 Tempo squad, this isn’t just a game, it’s a lifeline. Dallas needs to turn this ship around, and they need to do it *now*. This quick pit stop at home is the perfect chance to bounce back from this brutal slide.
Where’s Azzi Fudd?! And What Happens Without Her?
Let’s be real, the biggest thing holding this team back right now is the gaping hole left by Azzi Fudd. She’s been out with right knee soreness, and the numbers don’t lie about her impact. In her absence, the Wings are shooting a brutal 29% from deep in their recent losses to the Valkyries and Lynx. That’s a huge drop from their 34% season average, and you can practically hear the clank of every missed three when you’re fighting for every bucket. We’re talking about a rookie who isn’t just hitting shots, but creating chaos with her off-ball movement and quick release. Her efficiency from the midrange gives them a whole different look, too. And on defense? She’s their leading perimeter stopper, with active hands that just snatch passes out of thin air, intercepting passing lanes like it’s nothing. Fudd has been a stable point through most of the Wings’ season, and her status for Wednesday’s matchup being unknown is a nightmare scenario for this team.
Stepping Up and Sealing the Deal
Amidst the Fudd injury, and with Jessica Shepard turning her ankle early in Sunday’s loss to the Lynx, a few players really tried to carry the load. Odyssey Sims and Aziaha James stepped up big time with Fudd out and Arike Ogunbowale struggling, actually keeping the Wings competitive for the first 25 minutes against the more talented Lynx. That’s heart, but it wasn’t enough in the end. Alanna Smith has also had a nice stretch, sliding back into the starting lineup and fighting for extra possessions with her rebounding. If Shepard continues to miss time, Smith’s boards will be absolutely critical. This team needs a serious “next woman up” mentality right now, because closing games has been their Achilles’ heel over the last two weeks, plain and simple. We saw it highlighted in those tough losses against the Washington Mystics and Atlanta Dream.
The Wings are currently holding onto the eighth seed, with the Portland Fire five and a half games behind them. A win against the Tempo isn’t just a morale boost; it allows Dallas to gain some ground on the six-seeded Mystics and the seven-seeded New York Liberty as this postseason seeding push continues. They need to take care of business and not play with their food. This Wednesday night game is a chance to show they still have fight. Can they seize it?
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Mavs Moneyball.
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