'Stick Together and Keep Building': Dallas Wings Seek Breakthrough Against Seattle Storm in Commissioner’s Cup Opener

As they head to Seattle for Tuesday’s Commissioner’s Cup opener, the Dallas Wings find themselves in a precarious spot—shorthanded, short on wins, and facing a Storm squad that has already exposed some of their early-season flaws.

Injuries to key guards Paige Bueckers and Tyasha Harris have left Dallas without much of its backcourt identity. What remains is a mix of experience and youth still learning how to play together under pressure.

Their opponent, the Seattle Storm, enters with a 3–4 record and an urgent need to bounce back after three consecutive losses. But suppose their May 20 win over Dallas is any indication. In that case, the Storm remain capable of executing their defensive schemes and controlling tempo, especially when Gabby Williams, Skylar Diggins, and Nneka Ogwumike are locked in.

The Wings, who sit at 1–6 overall, will need to find creative ways to compete on both ends without their top playmakers. And that starts with Arike Ogunbowale, who will once again carry the heaviest load.

Short-Handed Backcourt: Dallas Wings Lean on Depth

The Wings confirmed that Bueckers (concussion protocol) and Harris (left knee injury) did not make the trip. Bueckers starred in the last matchup against Seattle with 19 points and eight assists, but was injured in a collision last week. Harris remains out indefinitely.

“We’re just preaching that we stick together,” head coach Chris Koclanes said. “Keep learning, keep building, and keep trusting each other.”

That trust will extend to rookies JJ Quinerly and Aziaha James, who are expected to take on larger roles.

“JJ—you can always count on her. Her defense is crazy. It’s really good,” Luisa Geiselsöder told DallasHoopsJournal.com. “She’s just another threat. So we have two threats from the guard position that are coming out, and they’re excited and motivated every game.”

Gabby Williams: “Limit Arike—and Don’t Let Anyone Else Get Going”

The last time these teams met, Seattle came out with a 79–71 road win. Ogunbowale struggled, finishing just 2-of-14 from the field. Storm guard Gabby Williams explained the game plan that worked—and what they intend to repeat.

“We know she’s going to try to get her shots, especially with Paige not in the lineup,” Williams said. “The key is just making everything difficult. She’s an amazing player, so you can’t take everything away, but if we can disrupt her rhythm and take her out of her cadence, that’s the goal tonight.”

Williams emphasized the importance of defending collectively, not just against Ogunbowale but across the Wings’ entire offensive scheme.

“We have to make everything difficult for Arike,” Williams said. “We know she’s going to get hers—she’s that good—but we can’t let her get easy looks. And beyond that, we can’t let anyone else get hot. The goal is to limit their other players and not let them become factors.”

Noelle Quinn Emphasizes Awareness, Discipline, and Maddy Siegrist’s Spacing

Storm head coach Noelle Quinn identified the Wings’ aggressive cutting and rebounding as challenges to their defensive system, particularly when switching or scrapping in transition.

“Carrington is aggressive both with and without the ball,” Quinn said. “We need to be sharp on the glass because they crash from different angles, and there are more switches, so awareness is key. Siegrist spaces the floor and cuts behind you if you’re not locked in.”

Quinn emphasized that regaining execution and poise remain central to Seattle’s identity—two traits that fueled their early 3–1 start.

“The biggest thing was our execution,” she said of that stretch. “We were sharp in our schemes and intentional with our energy. That early stretch showed what we’re capable of when we stick to who we are.”

Dominique Malonga and Nneka Ogwumike Anchor the Seattle Storm Frontline

Seattle’s last outing was a 75–70 loss to the Las Vegas Aces, but rookie Dominique Malonga made her presence felt in crunch time with eight points in the fourth quarter.

“That last game, we trusted her in a key stretch,” Quinn said. “She competed, defended at a high level, and showed she’s ready for big moments.”

Nneka Ogwumike continues to play a central role despite recent shooting struggles. In the first matchup against Dallas, Ogwumike erupted for 23 points and 19 rebounds. She remains a focal point for the Storm on both ends of the floor.

Teaira McCowan on Playing Without Paige Bueckers

Teaira McCowan emphasized the importance of maintaining a heightened focus and purposeful offensive movement in the absence of Bueckers, to make the game easier for Ogunbowale.

“When Paige is out, it’s just about moving with purpose and letting Arike do what she does,” McCowan said. “She’s going to draw attention, so we’ve got to stay ready. Be active, crash, space—it all matters more.”

Carrington is expected to continue her expanded role after posting 16 points and a team-high six assists in Saturday’s 94–83 loss to Chicago. NaLyssa Smith led the Wings with 20 points, including a perfect 10-of-10 from the free-throw line.

“I think it was just about being aggressive and just getting back to playing how I know how to play,” Smith said. “I shot 10 free throws, so I feel like that tells the story on its own.”

Turnovers, Shooting Woes Continue

Dallas shot just 21.1% from three and committed 14 turnovers in the previous loss to Seattle. They’ll need improved efficiency and decision-making to avoid falling into early deficits.

“We’ve done a good job fighting back in those situations,” Bueckers said after that May 20 loss. “But we’ve got to figure out how to minimize those mental lapses and really play an entire 40 minutes together.”

Looking Ahead

Following Tuesday’s game, the Wings will return to Arlington to host the Los Angeles Sparks on Friday, June 6, and the Minnesota Lynx on Sunday, June 8. With their depth being tested and Bueckers still sidelined, internal improvement and offensive poise will determine whether they can turn their season around.

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