The Dallas Wings wrapped up their most successful year in decades, hitting 27 wins and securing the franchise’s fourth-best record ever. Even with a first-round postseason exit to the Golden State Valkyries, who are now playing in the WNBA Finals, the progress this team made is undeniable. For a franchise that only had one winning season since moving to Dallas in 2016, a second one, and this dominant, is a massive leap forward.
Bueckers and the Backcourt Built Something Special
Let’s be real, Paige Bueckers is a flat-out superstar, and she’s been the driving force behind this surge. She cranked her averages up across the board from her rookie campaign, dropping 20.9 points, 4.1 rebounds, and 5.9 assists per game. The league noticed, too, putting her on her second All-Star team and slotting her sixth in MVP voting. She’s absolutely going to be on the All-WNBA Team, no doubt about it. And get this: Bueckers just made history, scoring the most points by any player through their first two seasons in WNBA history with a staggering 1515 points, blowing past legends like Seimone Augustus (1513) and Cynthia Cooper (1301). That’s not just good, that’s legendary territory!
Her chemistry with rookie Azzi Fudd was insane, proving their UConn connection translates perfectly to the pros. Fudd had a lights-out debut year, averaging 13.1 points and draining 39.7 percent from beyond the arc, earning her an All-Rookie team nod. Then there’s Arike Ogunbowale, who some folks questioned when she signed her two-year deal last offseason, wondering if she’d be cool taking a back seat to Bueckers. Turns out, it wasn’t an issue at all. Ogunbowale is still a certified bucket-getter, averaging 15.3 points, and we all saw her otherworldly ceiling in the playoffs. She absolutely erupted for 45 points in a Game 2 win against the Valkyries, forcing a winner-take-all Game 3, and then dropped another 30 points in the eventual loss. That’s pure grit and talent right there.
A Season of Highs, Lows, and a Promising Future
So, what went sideways for the Wings after such a strong regular season? Injuries, man. They always sting, and Fudd’s knee injury and subsequent arthroscopic procedure definitely dashed some hopes. Losing her after 30 games was a huge blow; you have to wonder if a healthy Fudd could’ve helped Dallas shock the world and make a deeper postseason run. The team also struggled with their pace, clocking in at 95.70, which made them one of the slower squads in the WNBA. Plus, their clutch-time execution wasn’t always there when it mattered most.
Even with the postseason falling short, there’s so much to be excited about. The foundation is set with Bueckers, Fudd, and Ogunbowale forming a trio that could truly dominate for years to come. They found their stride this year, now it’s about staying healthy, sharpening that late-game focus, and taking that next step. You gotta believe the best is still to come for the Dallas Wings.
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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