Wings Coach Issues Honest Response to Team Struggles on Wednesday

The Dallas Wings are 5-13 heading into their 19th game of the season on Thursday against the Phoenix Mercury at College Park Center in Arlington, Texas.

The Wings' rough start to the season is due to a mixture of injuries and inconsistent performances. Furthermore, only six players participated in Wednesday’s practice, as guard Tyasha Harris is out for the season with a left knee injury, and forward Maddy Siegrist is sidelined for a considerable amount of time with a knee injury.

Forward Myisha Hines-Allen was forced out of Tuesday’s practice with an undisclosed injury. At the same time, guards Arike Ogunbowale and DiJonai Carrington missed practice on Wednesday due to a thumb and rib injury. 

However, the slew of injuries didn’t change how head coach Chris Koclanes envisioned how his first season would go. 

“Undefeated, top of the league and blowing everybody out,” Koclanes joked during an interview with Dallas News reporter Myah Taylor. 

“But actually, I have no idea. I envisioned staying true to myself and keeping these players at the forefront with every decision I make, and making sure I’m putting them in the best position to find success to be their best individually.”

Despite the slow start, Dallas has seen some solid progress from rookie guard Paige Bueckers, whom they selected No.1 overall from the UConn Huskies in April’s WNBA draft. Bueckers has averaged 18.4 points, 5.8 assists, 4.4 rebounds and 1.8 steals per game in 13 appearances despite missing Saturday’s 79-71 victory over the Washington Mystics with a knee injury.