The Dallas Wings stormed into College Park Center on June 17, 2025, with fire in their veins and desperation in their record. And they delivered. In a stunning 80–71 upset over the Golden State Valkyries, the Wings snapped a crushing 11-game skid and clawed their way to a 2–11 standing in the Commissioner’s Cup. But the center of this seismic shift was rookie phenom Paige Bueckers, who returned to the floor with poise, precision, and purpose.
Bueckers’ impact ignited ball movement, elevated defensive intensity, and silenced doubters. After all, watching from the stands was legendary UConn coach Geno Auriemma, bearing witness as his former star took charge of the pro team. The Wings did not just win but tried shifting a looming narrative, that was close to building their identity. But the only question remains- can Paige and the Dallas Wings can keep this fire burning?
Dallas Wings HC, Chris Koclanes, was cheerful about his team clinching the second victory. He confessed to adopting a new strategy ahead of the tipoff against the Valkyries. “Yeah, decided to make a change to the lineup just as we continue to search for the right combinations and the right start,” Chris said. After being criticized for not utilizing the Bueckers-Ogunbowale duo more, the HC shut down all critics and how!
Unfortunately, the Valkyries were no match for the Arike Ogunbowale and Paige Bueckers. The duo successfully snapped back from a seven-game losing streak and delivered an exceptional performance on their home court. They added a combined score of 39 points and led the team to a second win.
Having said that, Chris opened up about the opponents in a post-game interview. “With Natalie, you know, I think she’s she’s doing a tremendous job with that group,” Chris began. “And they have a ton of key players missing. So, they were coming in on a three-game winning streak and she’s got that group really playing connected and together. And so, yeah, they’re tough.“
He praised the efforts of head coach, Natalie Nakase but also disclosed a grave fact regarding the opponents. As the newest expansion team on the block, the Golden State Valkyries have displayed a solid run so far. Currently the fourth standing team in the Western Conference division, the Valkyries have shown their hardwood prowess and have not failed to disappoint fans so far.
However, their three-win streak came to an end when they faced the Dallas Wings on June 17, 2025. Moreover, the absence of efficient players like Cecilia Zandalasini, Temi Fagbenle, Janelle Salaun, and Julie Vanloo, became a liability for the roster. These players have temporarily taken a step back from the league and are participating in the 2025 FIBA EuroBasket.
In such a bizarre scenario, HC Natalie Nakase had no choice but to take help from the immediate hardship extension rule in the looming absence of the four efficient players. As a result, Nakase signed rookie and former UConn player, Kaitlyn Chen and former Maryland alum, Chloe Chibby to help fill the remaining gaps in the active roster.
As the 30th overall pick this season, Kaitlyn Chen’s professional jersey was making the most noise in the W sales before she was waived off. The Valkyries bid goodbye to the guard just a few hours before the regular season commenced. But in a twist of events, Nakase signed the rookie again, ahead of the tipoff against the Wings.
Despite making every effort to save the roster, the Valkyries slipped to an 80-71 loss. While Monique Billings rallied the team further by scoring a season-high of 18 points and 8 rebounds for the roster, Kayla Thornton added 17 points and 5 rebounds as Laeticia Amihere and Tiffany Hayes contributed 14 points and 10 points, respectively.
As Dallas Wings gears up for another powerful showdown against the Connecticut Sun on June 20, 2025, can we see the same passion and aggression in the roster when they clinched an exceptional 109-87 win in the game one against the Sun? Or will Bueckers & Co. lead the Wings to another dynamic win and improve their winning chances? That remains to be seen. But one thing is certain. The Wings are in a good space since the rookie’s power-packed comeback.
Wings guard, Kaila Charles receives praise from her head coach, Chris Koclanes
“Just glad that she’s back with us.” The Dallas Wings head coach, Chris Koclanes was proud of guard Kaila Charles as a standout performer for the roster. She was signed by the team under a hardship contract. Ironically, Charles was waived off by the Wings on June 14, 2025. “Just an incredible response to be able to you know live through the last 72 hours that she did and to be able to come out here and still have the impact that she had. That’s she’s the ultimate pro, right, to be able to show up and do that.“
Jun 17, 2025; Arlington, Texas, USA; Dallas Wings head coach Chris Koclanes reacts during the game against the Golden State Valkyries at College Park Center. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images
Despite averaging 4.9 points, 3.5 rebounds, and 0.5 assists for the roster, Charles managed a whopping 10 points, 5 rebounds, 4 assists and 3 steals against the Valkyries. She showed her true caliber despite everything that went down between her and the Wings. Moreover, Charles displayed her professional work ethic on the hardwood and won the hearts of her teammates.
Even head coach Chris Koclanes couldn’t help but praise the 23rd pick in the 2020 W draft. He further emphasized on the guard’s jaw-dropping performance as a hardship joiner against the Valkyries. “She was who she was on the floor,” Chris said. “You see, she’s versatile. She was guarding force, she was guarding point guard. She guarded everybody. Then her tenacity to the boards- getting us extra possessions all the time. So, that effort and energy is just contagious.”
Now, as the team progresses towards the Mohegan Sun Arena in Connecticut, the Wings rely heavily on rookie Paige Bueckers as she and Arike Ogunbowale propel the Wings to fly higher on the Western Conference division standings. With other players like DiJonai Carrington, Myisha Hines-Allen, and now, Kaila Charles delivering charged performances, can they became a threat to the Sun in game two? It will be exciting to watch who the game ultimately favours.
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