'Finding Our Identity': Dallas Wings Hit Stride as Rookies Emerge, Frontcourt Builds, and Identity Takes Hold

James, who has now started to find her rhythm as both a scorer and facilitator, said one of her favorite parts of the recent stretch has been watching the rookie class figure it out together, not just on the floor, but through conversations and shared adjustments during film sessions and practices.

“I feel like it’s just cool to see everybody grow,” James said of her draft class finding their stride together. “I’m watching them, and they’re watching me — and we’re all just figuring it out together.”

Head coach Chris Koclanes credited both guards with learning to control tempo and make smarter reads in pressure situations—a key development with Bueckers regularly facing traps and top-lock coverage. He’s seen major strides in how Quinerly and James handle pace, spacing, and decision-making in their expanded roles.

“Both are getting more confident and comfortable. JJ is finding her spots, flying up the floor, being aggressive early, and pushing tempo,” Koclanes said. “But now she’s playing at her pace. Earlier she’d get sped up and play at the pace the defense wanted — now she’s in command. It’s fast-fast-slow, create space, find the right player. Aziaha’s found her change of speed, too. Before, she was all go-go-go. Now she’s setting up her cuts and thriving on the move — she’s such a dynamic creator when she’s in space.”

Quinerly, who finished with 17 points, five rebounds, and seven assists in the win, said the key has been staying calm and trusting her instincts as she attacks.

“I’m fast, and I’m small, so it’s kind of easy to get into lanes and create kick-outs or dump-offs,” she said. “I just try to get into spots where other people can’t.”

James echoed that growth, particularly in how she reads the floor in half-court sets. Earlier in the season, she often played in a straight line, relying on her speed to beat defenders off the dribble. Now, she’s mixing pace, using change-of-direction moves, and recognizing help rotations before they arrive. That evolution has helped her create better looks for herself and teammates, finding cutters, hitting rollers in stride, and spacing the floor with purpose.

“Even though I had a good game, there are still little things I can work on,” James said. “Just dictating more, still navigating through screens — there’s always things to improve on.”

For her, patience has been a significant turning point. Earlier in the season, James often relied on instinct and speed to make plays, sometimes forcing the action before the floor fully developed. Now, she’s beginning to understand how to let plays breathe — waiting an extra beat to read the defense, use a screen effectively, or draw a second defender before making the pass. That added control has allowed her to become more efficient as both a scorer and playmaker.

“Just being more patient,” James added. “Just seeing what the actions are and taking control of them.”

Taking Pressure Off Paige

As opposing defenses ramp up their coverage on Bueckers, the Wings have spent recent practices focused on making her life easier structurally and through shared responsibility.

Luisa Geiselsöder said Bueckers cannot solely take on the burden of beating traps and doubles and that the team must improve its spacing and timing.

“It’s our role as a team. If they’re trapping her, that means someone’s open. We have to use that advantage — start the rotations and give her good passing angles,” Geiselsöder emphasized. “Right now, we’re making it kind of hard for her, and she’s having to really search for us. If we fix that, she’s going to have easy dimes all day.”

Koclanes echoed that sentiment, pointing to the importance of spatial awareness and timing when Bueckers draws two defenders. He stressed that once the trap comes, it’s up to the other four players to quickly recognize where the advantage lies — flashing to the middle, spacing to the corner, or slipping into the short roll. Executing those reads with urgency and precision can turn a trap into a scoring opportunity.

“When one person’s being trapped, all five need to be on the same page,” he said. “It’s about making yourself available — in front, behind, on the roll, or at the second level. It has to be quick and in short areas so we can get the ball out. If we do, we’re playing advantage basketball behind the trap.”

As opponents continue to blitz and trap Bueckers in pick-and-roll coverage, the Wings have emphasized creative ways to ease the pressure. Koclanes said it’s not just about giving Bueckers outlets — it’s about manipulating coverages through better team structure.

“We’re continuing to help her,” Koclanes said of Bueckers. “She’s a great screener, so we’re using her that way, getting her into space and on the move. Sometimes, the best thing is to stay away from the ball screen to avoid bringing more defenders to her. It’s also about helping with coverage solutions — the shapes we use, the actions before the ball screen that can distort the defense. She’s getting more comfortable reading those. I think all five players are improving the more we see it.”

Koclanes emphasized that solving traps and double teams isn’t just on the ball handler — it requires coordinated movement and awareness from everyone on the floor. As Bueckers continues to draw defensive overloads, the Wings have made it a point of emphasis in film sessions and practice to respond with collective execution.

“We’ve talked about it and watched film,” Koclanes said. “When one person’s being trapped, all five need to be on the same page. It’s about making yourself available — in front, behind, on the roll, or at the second level. It has to be quick and in short areas so we can get the ball out. If we do, we’re playing advantage basketball behind the trap.”

That’s where the development of the Wings’ frontcourt has become especially valuable. With more size and skill at the power forward and center spots, Dallas now has multiple release valves, particularly in short-roll scenarios.

“With who we’re starting now — Luisa and Li — both are capable poppers and can hit that 17-footer in the short roll,” Koclanes said. “They’ve got gravity and confidence in those shots. Myisha is more of a pocket playmaker — she can catch and attack downhill. And Teaira, even though she’s more of a long roll option, has more touch and handle than people realize.”

The Wings’ guards have also adjusted their roles accordingly. James and Quinerly have improved in reading pressure and attacking off the catch, helping to shift some of the creation load away from Bueckers. When they are playing pick-and-roll or out of handoffs, they are making poised decisions to score and to hit the roller with an advantage.

“I’m just trying to be more patient,” James said. “Just seeing what the actions are and taking control of them.”

Quinerly added: “Everybody has to stay calm and get to spots where Paige can see us. That’s how we keep the ball moving.”

The Bigs Bring Balance

After spending much of the 2025 season managing frontcourt uncertainty and trading NaLyssa Smith to the Las Vegas Aces, the Wings finally see the benefits of a fully stocked post-rotation. Between Yueru, Geiselsöder, McCowan, and Hines-Allen, Dallas now has size, mobility, and complementary skill sets to support its guard-heavy core.

Geiselsöder and Yueru started together in Thursday’s win over Phoenix, continuing to build on their growing chemistry. Though the offensive execution remains a work in progress, two true bigs have added paint control, high-low options, and more rebounding stability. The starting frontcourt shot a combined 2-of-14 from the floor, but made a strong all-around impact. Yueru racked up a double-double with 12 points and 11 rebounds, while Geiselsöder chipped in four points and four rebounds.

“There’s a big presence down there,” Geiselsöder said. “It’s great for high-lows. Especially early, I think I found [Li] pretty well. You can just pass it in, and she’s going to do something efficient with it.”

Yueru has provided a much-needed interior anchor since arriving midseason from Seattle. In seven games with Dallas, the Wings have gone 5-2 with her in the lineup. She’s averaged 7.4 points, 7.0 rebounds, and 1.3 assists while drawing consistent contact — her 4.0 free throw attempts per game trail only Paige Bueckers and Arike Ogunbowale despite playing fewer minutes.

“I’m truly comfortable, actually,” Yueru said. “I can shoot, so I can give my teammates more space and do more things. But actually, I want to be great in the paint, in the post. I haven’t done very well there yet, so I’m learning.”

Even as she acclimates to the Wings’ system, her impact on team performance has been dramatic. The team has outscored opponents by 7.8 points per 100 possessions with her on the court, and +15.4 per 100 when she shares the floor with Bueckers.

Dallas head coach Chris Koclanes has dubbed the new rotation a “post army,” highlighting the versatility of each contributor.

“We can finish better — be stronger with the ball, keep it high, finish through the square,” Koclanes said. “But I love the presence we have in the paint. No matter the combination, I love what we can do around the rim.”

One approach Koclanes has taken with Yueru is communicating a focus on running the floor hard and getting early positioning in the paint. The simplicity of the assignment has allowed Yueru to focus on using her size to create early advantages, particularly alongside Geiselsöder in high-low actions.

“Before the game, Coach Chris told us: one post runs fast, the other takes the sideline inbound,” Yueru said. “That gave us a clear role. I didn’t have to think too much — just run, post up, and make the read. I felt really comfortable in that role, and I think we’ll keep doing it.”

With an embrace from the Wings’ bigs to do the little things, like setting strong screens, the guards appreciate how it simplifies the game and creates advantages.

“They made things easier,” Quinerly said of the Dallas frontcourt. “You’re coming off screens with more space. They really fight.”

Interior Defense and Versatility Coming Together

Defensive versatility is one of the quiet strengths emerging from the Wings’ rebuilt frontcourt. Geiselsöder and Yueru are capable of switching and rotating while anchoring the paint. Meanwhile, McCowan, who added nine points, three rebounds, and two blocks against Phoenix, provides an interior presence on both ends in the second unit. Dallas has begun stringing together more consistent half-court stops and controlling the game in key areas.

“You have a couple of bigs now that can really move their feet as well,” Koclanes said. “Just both of them, yeah, with their defensive mobility. I think they’re two good pieces to invest in and build with.”

That movement helped Dallas when facing floor-spacing bigs or opponents trying to drag their posts into mismatches. Yueru, standing at 6-foot-7, is still refining her timing but has shown signs of being a shot deterrent and positional rebounder. McCowan, who recently returned from EuroBasket, has continued to provide strength in drop coverage and is finishing at a 56.1% clip on the other end.

“Defensively, she’s a big presence — it’s going to be hard for opponents to score over her,” Geiselsöder said of Yueru. “So it definitely helps.”

That adjustment is still a work in progress. Against Phoenix, for example, the Wings showed some growing pains at times. However, they gained the chance to focus on fine-tuning in practice as they continue to build chemistry among their frontcourt. Both players are intrigued by the long-term potential.

“It was our first game starting together, and sometimes we were still trying to figure things out on the court,” Yueru said of Geiselsöder. “We weren’t always clear with each other, yet, but she’s there, and she can do a lot. She makes me feel really comfortable, and I’m really glad she’s here.”

Yueru added that overall communication remains an area they’re still working to clean up, especially in transition. With new frontcourt pairings and evolving defensive coverages, she noted that quick, early calls are essential to avoid confusion on matchups and switches. Whether it’s pointing out cutters, calling out ball screens, or directing each other on who picks up the trailer, the Wings are emphasizing the ability to talk through plays in real time as they build cohesion.

“Sometimes we’re all in the paint and unsure who’s going for the rebound,” Yueru explained. “We’ve made some mistakes there, but we’ll work on it and learn how to help each other more on defense.”

The communication piece will take time, but the potential is clear. Whether in pick-and-roll coverage, help rotations, or switching cross-matches, the Wings now have lineups that match size with mobility — a trait they lacked earlier in the season when smaller lineups left the defense overextended.

Focus Turns to the Road

Saturday’s practice marked one of the most complete sessions Dallas has held recently — a needed change after fielding only six healthy players at a practice earlier in the week.

The Wings will look to build on that progress when they face the Mercury again on Sunday, just three days after a fourth straight win at College Park Center. With momentum after having won five of their last seven games, Dallas aims to replicate the defensive intensity and guard play that fueled Thursday’s victory. Phoenix will be motivated to bounce back.

“The scout is fresh. We know how we had success, what to keep doing, and what small adjustments we need to make — and we can make them immediately,” Koclanes said of facing Phoenix again. “The key is anticipating how the opponent will adjust now that they’ve played 40 minutes against us. It’s fun. It’s like the playoffs — subtle changes from game to game. I enjoy that aspect.”

As the Wings prepare to face Phoenix for the second time in four days—this time on the road—Koclanes acknowledged the challenges of playing away from home, especially for a roster filled with young players still adjusting to the professional rhythm. He emphasized the mental side of maintaining consistency when familiar routines are stripped away.

“Playing in hostile environments is always a challenge — all those fans cheering for the other team,” Koclanes said. “At home, you have your routine, your rhythm, your pregame structure. On the road, it’s about finding that same focus and intensity despite the changes. That’s the hurdle, especially for a young group.”

For now, the Wings are sticking with what’s working: a young backcourt stepping forward, a stronger frontcourt rotation, and a team structure finally forming around the pieces left standing.

“We’re finding our identity,” Koclanes said. “It’s taken a lot, but we’re getting there.”

Monday’s tipoff between the Wings and Mercury is scheduled for 9:00 p.m. CT at PHX Arena.