The Dallas Wings are officially WNBA playoff bound, clinching their spot Tuesday with a huge 96-78 win over the Portland Fire. This is a massive moment for Dallas, marking their first trip to the postseason since way back in 2023. They snatched that final playoff ticket, which means the Fire are out of contention. What a wild ride!
From Bottom Dwellers to Playoff Contenders
Honestly, what the Wings have pulled off this season is one of the most incredible turnarounds the league has seen in years. We’re talking about a team that went a brutal 10-34 last season and a dismal 9-31 in 2024. That kind of record usually screams long-term rebuild, right? But Dallas used those struggles to their advantage, landing the first overall picks in both the 2025 and 2026 WNBA drafts. They invested in UConn’s backcourt, and man, has it paid off faster than anyone expected.
Paige Bueckers, the 2025 first pick, wasted zero time becoming one of the WNBA’s brightest stars. She took home Rookie of the Year honors and was even an All-WNBA Second Team selection, a true bright spot for a struggling squad. This season, her second, she’s an All-Star, has elevated her game even more as a dominant playmaker, and has been deep in MVP discussions. An All-WNBA First Team nod feels like a lock. Then came Azzi Fudd, the 2026 first pick and Bueckers’ familiar teammate. Fudd provides instant shooting from long distance and makes life easier for everyone by just being out there with Paige drawing all that defensive attention. It’s not all youth though; veterans Arike Ogunbowale and Jessica Shepard have brought much-needed leadership and offense, each averaging more than 14 points a night. Shepard is a double-double threat every time she hits the floor, giving Dallas serious inside presence and offensive versatility.
What’s Next for This Cinderella Story
Now that they’re in, the Wings are the 8th seed in the current standings. That means if things hold, they’re looking at a first-round showdown with the Minnesota Lynx, the league’s top seed at 31-8. Dallas might be a season or two ahead of schedule, but with a superstar like Bueckers who can just take over a game at a moment’s notice, and a solid supporting cast rallying around her, they are absolutely a threat to anyone in the playoffs. Get ready for some fireworks, because this team is playing with house money and a whole lot of heart!
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Bleacher Report.
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