The Dallas Wings can’t seem to catch a break. The team is sitting at an abysmal 8-20 score this season. Their brief spark after beating New York quickly faded in an 88-85 loss to Atlanta. Rookie star Paige Bueckers continues to shine, averaging double figures nightly, but even her brilliance isn’t enough. And the rookie did not shy away from showing her feelings, too.
Following the narrow 88-85 loss, Bueckers stormed off the court, visibly frustrated. She had put in the work all game, dropping 21 points and seven assists. Her nine-point burst and two clutch assists in the fourth quarter even pulled the Wings level with the Dream. But still, this wasn’t enough. So what’s going wrong? According to Dallas Wings head coach Chris Koclanes, the issue lies on their side of the court.
During the postgame interview after the loss to Atlanta, Koclanes revealed the team’s Achilles’ heel: defense. “It was just that we have to be better defensively, right? That’s our next step as a team: being able to get stops,” said Koclanes. Highlighting areas for improvement, Koclanes emphasized two key demands: stronger one-on-one defense and elite communication in clutch moments.
The Wings team is currently in its rebuilding phase. With their offense anchored by the wonder rookie, Koclanes now needs to shift focus and tighten up the defense. The Wings are averaging a solid 82.2 points per game, placing them on the higher end offensively. However, they’re getting outscored, with opponents putting up 86.5 points against them. Only Chicago and Connecticut have a worse point differential this season. Luisa Geiselsöder, the Wings’ second-leading scorer after Bueckers against Atlanta, echoed the impact of that defensive gap on the team’s performance.
A record-breaking Paige Bueckers can’t save struggling Wings.
When asked where the Wings need to improve, Geiselsöder didn’t hold back in her response. “I think it’s a mix of everything. We have sequences where our pick and roll defense falls short, lacking toughness and aggression. Then we have ones where we get in rotations, and then we’re not holding our one-on-one. So I have the feeling it’s a mix of both,” she said.
She also pointed out that the Wings often fall into avoidable fouls under the rim. Mistakes like this can and should be prevented. Interestingly, Geiselsöder stopped short of calling out the questionable officiating. Bueckers, on the other hand, made her frustration clear on the court. After a blatant foul against her was ignored by the officials, the rookie was visibly frustrated, making her displeasure clear as day.
Jul 28, 2025; Arlington, Texas, USA; New York Liberty guard Natasha Cloud (9) and Dallas Wings guard Paige Bueckers (5) in action during the game between the Dallas Wings and the New York Liberty at College Park Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images
It becomes even more frustrating when her 21-point stint against Atlanta was a record-breaking one. Despite the loss, Paige Bueckers matched a historic milestone by tying Cynthia Cooper as the fastest player in WNBA history to reach 400 points and 100 assists. Both WNBA players accomplished the feat in just 22 games. Furthermore, Bueckers set a new rookie record for the most games with 20+ points and 5+ assists, surpassing the mark previously held by Caitlin Clark.
While the Wings may have fallen to the Dream, it’s Bueckers’ standout performance that deserves the spotlight. Her journey in the W is just beginning, and with the proper all-around support, she has the potential to do wonders. For that to happen, Dallas will need to step up on defense. Otherwise, a playoff spot may remain out of reach.
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