The Dallas Wings are in a total tailspin right now, going a brutal 2-7 since the All-Star break. After kicking off the season with so much promise, they have absolutely plummeted to eighth place with a 20-16 record, barely clinging to the final playoff spot. It’s a tough scene after Monday’s 78-70 loss to the Golden State Valkyries.
The Bottom Dropped Out Post-All-Star
This slump is *wild* when you look at the numbers. Before the All-Star break, the Wings were rolling, sitting at 18-9 with an offensive rating of 111.9 and a net rating of +5.1. They were looking like a real contender. But since play resumed, their record is a dismal 2-7. Their offensive rating tanked to 104.6, and their net rating is now a horrible -5.7. Talk about a complete reversal of fortune.
Sure, they are still four and a half games up on the expansion Portland Fire, so making the playoffs for the first time since 2023 still feels likely. But that dream of making a deep postseason run? That has faded, big time. Especially when you consider their probable first-round opponent, if the season ended today, would be the league-leading Minnesota Lynx. Ouch.
Injuries Are Crushing Everything
The biggest gut punch has to be Azzi Fudd. The No. 1 overall pick, who started the season coming off the bench but quickly became a key starter, is officially out for the season. She’s got to undergo arthroscopic surgery on her right knee. This is her *fourth* surgery on that same knee, folks. She has torn her ACL multiple times, plus her MCL and meniscus, and has dealt with endless sprains. It’s a brutal break for such a talented young player.
Fudd was an absolute game-changer. She averaged 13.1 points, 1.8 assists, and 1.7 steals, all while shooting 39.7% from three. She was their best three-point shooter, providing crucial spacing for Paige Bueckers and the rest of the offense. On defense, they’re going to miss her weakside D and how she jumped into passing lanes. It’s not just hype either; the Wings are 19-11 with Fudd this season and a shocking 1-5 without her. That tells you everything you need to know about her impact.
And it’s not just Fudd. Most Improved Player candidate Jessica Shepard, who leads the Wings in rebounding and is third in scoring and second in assists, also missed a bunch of games recently with an ankle injury. She came back on Monday against the Valkyries but just wasn’t herself, only putting up four points on 1-of-4 shooting in 26 minutes. Shepard’s return is a welcome sight, but Fudd’s absence is just too big to ignore.
This Thursday, the Wings face Caitlin Clark and the Indiana Fever. They have got to find some answers, and fast, if they want to get any momentum back before the playoffs. Otherwise, this promising season is just going to slip away.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by CBS Sports.
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