WNBA: Can Paige, Arike and the Wings turn things around?

This season, the Dallas Wings haven’t shown the potential and promise of their roster. Instead, they’ve lost three-straight games and currently sit at 1-8, at the bottom of the WNBA standings.

While the Wings were never set up to be a juggernaut this year, they were supposed to start taking steps in the right direction similar to a team like the Washington Mystics, who have started 3-5 and have two rookies, Sonia Citron and Rookie of the Month Kiki Iriafen, shining.

So, why is it more of the same in Dallas? And what will it take to turn things around? Let’s take a closer look at three big reasons for the Wings’ lack of wins:

Late-game execution is a problem

Good teams find ways to win, and bad teams find ways to lose. The Wings have been more of the latter.

During their current losing streak, they have had two games where they were ahead entering the fourth quarter, yet still lost. Against the Chicago Sky, their offense went scoreless during the final two minutes, causing them to lose to a team that was winless entering this contest. In their most recent game against the Seattle Storm, they followed a similar script. Dallas was ahead by five with 8:03 to play when Seattle went on a 10-0 run to take the lead for good.

These meltdowns are happening far too often for Dallas, and if they continue, victories in 2025 will be few and far between. When asked about closing out games better, Wings head coach Chris Koclanes mentioned togetherness, which wasn’t exactly a response fans embraced.

Regardless of what fans think or the coach says, things need to get better down the stretch. That’s something everyone can agree on.

Paige Bueckers is experiencing (understandable) growing pains

While Paige Bueckers is a superstar in the making, she’s still going to go through the struggles of becoming one. In the WNBA, the physicality, toughness and number of games make it a tough transition from college to the pros.

There have been flashes of brilliance from Bueckers, such as her 21-point performance against the Connecticut Sun, but there have also been some subpar ones, like her 11-point game against the Atlanta Dream.

In an appearance on the “Dan Patrick Show” back in June 2024, her former head coach, Geno Auriemma, predicted that Bueckers was going to struggle with the transition to the pros, comparing it to the level of scrutiny Caitlin Clark experienced during her rookie year.

With Bueckers, that magnifying glass hasn’t been quite as intense as it was with Clark, but she has a similar spotlight as a No. 1 pick who is expected to turn a franchise around. During these early days, we have not seen her consistently meet that expectation. Currently, she is out due to concussion protocols, so let’s see how she is after a couple of games back.

Even though she is a rookie, the Wings will only go as far as Buckers can take them, and if she continues to struggle, so will Dallas.

Arike Ogunbowale has been uncharacteristically inconsistent

Bueckers isn’t the only backcourt player off to an up-and-down start.

Arike Ogunbowale has been just as hot and cold. Against Chicago, she was her dominant self, scoring 37 points. However, she has already had three games where she struggled from the field and scored under 10 points. Last season, she only had one game where she scored in single digits.

Part of the reason Ogunbowale could be struggling is having Bueckers on the team. While Bueckers having the ball in her hands and carrying some of the offensive load is good, it’s a transition for Ogunbowale. She no longer has a forever green light, asked and allowed to take as many shots as she desires. Efficiency will be emphasized as she and Bueckers work to coexist.

Given her experience and ability, one would expect Ogunbowale to figure it out this season. However, right now, it’s a work in progress, evidenced by the losses that continue to pile up.

Despite the early disappointments, it’s too soon to ring the fire alarms on the 2025 Dallas Wings. With Bueckers returning soon and the majority of the season still in front of them, there is plenty of time to right the ship.

Still, they have a rookie head coach, a rookie star and an All-Star guard adjusting to different expectations. It’s not guaranteed that this trio is the right group to turn this franchise around.