The Dallas Wings are sitting at 20-16 with just eight games left in the 2026 WNBA regular season, four games over .500. That’s right, they’ve absolutely blown past preseason expectations, and yet, the vibe around the team is pure disappointment and disillusionment. Seriously, what gives?
Beating the Odds, But Losing the Fans?
Remember Zack Ward’s preseason analysis for the Wings? His whole theme was patience, especially for teams with back-to-back No. 1 draft picks. And he had history on his side. Think about it: the 2024 Indiana Fever, the 2018 Las Vegas Aces, even our own 2016 Seattle Storm and the OG 2002 Storm with Sue Bird and Lauren Jackson. Out of all those, only the 2002 Storm finished with a winning record after having two straight top picks. The 2024 Fever’s .500 mark was the best of the more recent bunch. Zack figured a 16-28 record was most likely for Dallas, maybe on the cusp of a playoff spot if things broke right. And now? They’re 20-16! This squad is on track for the best-ever season by a franchise that grabbed back-to-back No. 1 overall picks. So how can a team absolutely crush those low expectations and still have everyone feeling so sour?
The Rollercoaster Ride That Led to Frustration
It’s all about the trajectory, man. The Wings started rough, with some ugly defensive outings leading to early losses. But then they found their rhythm, got that offense clicking, and shot up to fourth in the WNBA standings. They were on FIRE before the All-Star break, cruising into Chicago on a ridiculous 7-1 run. Everyone, probably even Zack, thought they were about to finish the season on an even higher note. Then boom. Post-All-Star break has been a total tumble. A 2-7 record since the festivities has brought all the agita crashing down. Paige Bueckers has been holding it down, and Jessica Shepard earned an All-Star starter nod as an effective offensive partner, but the team’s slide has soured the mood big time. It’s tough, especially for a franchise that’s been tagged as “incompetent” for so long.
What’s Next for Dallas?
Look, escaping that kind of ineptitude, even with top talents like Bueckers and Shepard, takes time. And it is not a straight line up, ever. There are going to be ups and downs as they figure out how to maximize these precious prospects. With eight games left, the Wings still have a chance to turn things around again and finish this season strong. They’ve already proven they can surpass what anyone expected. Can they prove the critics wrong one more time and end this season feeling more like a success than a disaster?
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Swish Appeal.
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