Paige Bueckers, Dallas Wings Receive Big Boost Before Indiana Fever Game

Originally posted on Athlon Sports
By Rowan Fisher-Shotton | Last updated Jul 11, 2025 3:32 PM ET

Despite coming into the 2025 WNBA season with high hopes, the Dallas Wings have endured a difficult first half of the year.

In the offseason, Dallas hired Chris Koclanes as head coach, traded for DiJonai Carrington, brought back Maddy Siegrist and selected UConn star Paige Bueckers with the No. 1 overall pick in the WNBA Draft.

However, none of this was enough to turn the franchise around, with the Wings currently holding a 6-15 record and ranking last in the Western Conference.

While there have been some highlights, such as Bueckers making the WNBA All-Star Game as a rookie, this season has ultimately been marked by roster turnover and nagging injuries.

As the Wings prepare to host the Indiana Fever on Sunday, one of their biggest questions, when will star guard Arike Ogunbowale return, finally has an answer of sorts.

According to GM Curt Miller, Ogunbowale is now listed as probable.

Wings GM Curt Miller said Arike Ogunbowale is probable for Sunday’s game against the Indiana Fever. He said DiJonai Carrington was a non-contact participant in practice today.
— Myah Taylor (@t_myah) July 11, 2025

Ogunbowale became a household name at Notre Dame by hitting back‑to‑back game‑winners in the 2018 Final Four, earning Most Outstanding Player honors in the process.

She capped her college career as a two-time AP second-team All-American and ACC Female Athlete of the Year in 2018.

Drafted fifth overall by the Wings in 2019, Ogunbowale has blossomed into one of the league’s premier guards as a four-time All‑Star, two-time All‑Star Game MVP, two-time All-WNBA honoree and a WNBA scoring champion (2020) and steals leader (2024).

This season, her numbers have dipped slightly now sharing the backcourt with Bueckers, averaging a career-low 16.8 points to go along with 2.7 rebounds, 3.9 assists and 1.5 steals per game.

Despite this, she remains Dallas' veteran leader and an important piece of the offense.

Ogunbowale has not played since injuring her thumb in the Wings’ 79-71 win over the Washington Mystics on June 28, so her possible return against Caitlin Clark and the Fever would provide the Wings with a huge boost.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

More must-reads: