Wings' Paige Bueckers 'Super Excited' to Play in Same City as Mavs' Kyrie Irving
Joseph Zucker
Apr 23, 2025
Dallas Wings rookie Paige Bueckers is "super excited" to be playing in the same home market as the Dallas Mavericks' Kyrie Irving after being an admirer of the nine-time All-Star's game.
Bueckers said Wednesday at her introductory press conference with the Wings that Irving has "been my favorite player for forever now," and she hopes to get some advice from him:
A day after making Bueckers the No. 1 pick in the 2025 WNBA draft, Dallas shared a video of Irving welcoming her to the city. He said he's "so happy that you're going to be right down the street."
For Dallas basketball as a whole, Bueckers' arrival couldn't come at a better time.
The Luka Dončić trade continues to cast a massive shadow over the Mavericks, with general manager Nico Harrison acknowledging he underestimated how the fans would react. With Irving recovering from a torn ACL that will keep him out for the start of 2025-26, the organization's short-term outlook is murky at best.
The Wings can at least sell their fanbase on a bright future with Bueckers at the fore.
Ad Placeholder
The UConn guard averaged 19.8 points on 53.1 percent shooting along with 4.6 assists over four years. She has the skills to be a perennial All-Star in the WNBA.
The Indiana Fever's immediate success with Clark is an example of how much a rookie can positively impact her team, too. The Fever overcame a shaky start to win seven more games in 2024 compared to the previous season, ending a seven-year playoff drought in the process.
Wednesday's press conference certainly struck the right tone in terms of Bueckers signaling her enthusiasm to be a member of the Wings.
Paige Bueckers 'So Excited' About Joining Wings After Going No. 1 in 2025 WNBA Draft
Andrew Peters
Apr 14, 2025
Paige Bueckers has been projected to be the top pick in the WNBA Draft for months now, but the Dallas Wings made it official on Monday.
After being selected by the Wings, Bueckers sent a message to all the fans of her new team.
"Dallas, I'm so excited," Bueckers said. "Just a new city, new start, a fresh start. I'm excited, let's get it."
She also said she has high hopes for the future in Dallas.
"I know we're going to do great things," she said. "It's a fresh start and I think we're all ready to do something special. Just extremely grateful that they took the pick on me."
While Bueckers was a clear lock to go first overall coming into draft night, her journey to the WNBA hasn't been easy. She started her college career strong by winning Player of the Year honors as a freshman, living up to the lofty expectations she had when she joined UConn.
Ad Placeholder
She was thrown a major wrench when she suffered a torn ACL before her junior year, forcing her to miss the entirety of the 2022-23 season. But Bueckers ultimately came back stronger for her final two seasons and willed the Huskies to a national title in 2025.
Ad Placeholder
"Everybody's invested a lot in me and part of me wanted to give back to them and show them that I can be better and all their hard work helped me get to this stage," Bueckers said. "I didn't do it alone, it took a village. So, I'm extremely grateful to them."
The Wings struggled a year ago, going 9-31, but the poor season led to them getting Bueckers with the No. 1 pick. Now, Bueckers will try to help turn the franchise around starting her rookie year.
Report: Satou Sabally Traded to Mercury from Wings in 3-Team WNBA Deal with Fever
Feb 1, 2025
LAS VEGAS, NV - SEPTEMBER 19: Satou Sabally #0 of the Dallas Wings drives to the basket during the game against the Las Vegas Aces on September 19, 2024 at Michelob ULTRA Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2024 NBAE (Photo by Ian Maule/NBAE via Getty Images)
The Dallas Wings have traded two-time WNBA All-Star forward Satou Sabally to the Phoenix Mercury as part of a three-team deal also involving the Indiana Fever.
ESPN's Kendra Andrews and Alexa Philippou broke the news and provided more information.
The trade is between the Mercury, Wings and Fever.
Phoenix gets Sabally, Kalani Brown and Sevgi Uzun. Dallas gets Ty Harris, NaLyssa Smith (via Indy) the rights to Mikiah Herbert Harrigan and the No. 8 pick from Indy. Indiana gets Sophie Cunningham and the No. 19 pick. https://t.co/ivlqRcoeJk
Sabally, 26, averaged 17.9 points on 42.6 percent shooting (45.2 percent from three-point range), 6.4 rebounds, 5.0 assists and 1.3 steals last year.
Phoenix is just three days removed from another blockbuster trade, when the team added three-time All-WNBA player (and 2024 Olympic gold medalist) Alyssa Thomas from the Connecticut Sun in exchange for Natasha Cloud, Rebecca Allen and the 2025 No. 12 overall pick from the Mercury, per Philippou. Harris went from Connecticut to Phoenix in the deal but is now headed to Dallas.
The Mercury also lost a franchise legend and cornerstone this week when center Brittney Griner, a 10-time WNBA All-Star, three-time Olympic gold medalist and three-time All-WNBA First Team member, left in free agency for the Atlanta Dream.
So Phoenix looks quite different than it did just four days ago. It could possibly see an even bigger change if Diana Taurasi, who has led Phoenix to three WNBA titles during her 20 years in town, decides to retire.
At this point, though, it's abundantly clear that the Mercury are shooting for a championship. Thomas and Sabally join Kahleah Copper, a four-time All-Star and 2024 Olympic gold medalist who just averaged 21.1 points per game. Phoenix is coming off a sluggish 19-21 season that ended with a quick first-round exit, but this team should easily improve in 2025.
The Mercury, of course, have some tough teams to contend with, including the defending WNBA champion New York Liberty, MVP A'ja Wilson's Las Vegas Aces (now with ex-Seattle Storm Jewell Loyd), the defending runner-up Minnesota Lynx and Caitlin Clark and Aliyah Boston's Indiana Fever. But Phoenix should be in the mix, and it'll get its season going with its new squad on May 17 at home versus the Seattle Storm.
USC's Chris Koclanes Hired as Wings HC; Dallas Holds No. 1 Pick in 2025 WNBA Draft
Dec 23, 2024
UNCASVILLE, CT - SEPTEMBER 05: Los Angeles Sparks assistant coach Chris Koclanes reacts during a WNBA game between the Los Angeles Sparks and the Connecticut Sun on September 5, 2023, at Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, CT. (Photo by Erica Denhoff/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
The Dallas Wings announced Monday they hired Chris Koclanes as their next head coach.
Koclanes was midway through his second season as an assistant for the USC women's basketball team. In Dallas, he reunites with Curt Miller, the Wings general manager who had him on his coaching staff with the Connecticut Sun.
Chris Koclanes has been named the Head Coach of the Dallas Wings.
"Throughout our extensive search and interview process, Chris continued to rise to the top and check the boxes of our important pillars," Miller said. "He is a servant leader who places a high value on connection, collaboration, and a positive and consistent communication style with all those he coaches. Chris is a fantastic teacher of the game and has an outstanding basketball IQ. He is committed to player development and has a forward thinking and innovative mind for the game. He is a tireless worker with a foundation built through preparation."
The Wings' reputation precedes them. They have posted a winning record just once since moving to Dallas in 2016, and their rapid decline this past season summed up their general lack of direction.
In 2023, head coach Latricia Trammell guided the team to a 22-18 record and a trip to the second round of the playoffs. The franchise appeared to be on an upward arc. Then the Wings won just nine games in 2024 and subsequently kicked Trammell to the curb.
In his statement, however, Miller cited the factors that point toward a potentially bright future.
"There are so many incredible things on the horizon for this franchise, including a new arena, a state-of-the-art practice facility and the opportunity to select No. 1 overall in the upcoming WNBA Draft," he said.
In terms of making an immediate impact, winning the 2025 draft lottery is by far the biggest development because the Wings are in a position to take UConn's Paige Bueckers first overall.
Bueckers is averaging 20.8 points on 56.3 percent shooting along with 4.5 rebounds, 3.8 assists and 2.0 steals as a senior with the Huskies. The 6'0" guard has the makings to be a generational talent, one who could single-handedly alter the long-term trajectory of a WNBA team.
The Wings have Satou Sabally and Natasha Howard hitting free agency this offseason, while Arike Ogunbowale will hit the open market along with a ton of top names across the WNBA in 2026.
Miller joined the front office before he knew where Dallas would be picking in the first round of the 2025 draft, but he probably assumed he'll have a lot of flexibility to reshape the roster over the next couple of years.
Regardless of what happens with Sabally and Ogunbowale, Bueckers alone will give Miller and Koclanes a great foundation on which to build moving forward.
Video: Arike Ogunbowale Wins 2024 WNBA All-Star MVP with Record-Setting 34-Point Game
Jul 21, 2024
PHOENIX, AZ - JULY 20: Arike Ogunbowale #24 of Team WNBA celebrates during the game against the USA Basketball Women's National Teamduring the 2024 WNBA All Star Game on July 20, 2024 at Footprint Center in Phoenix, Arizona. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2024 NBAE (Photo by Catalina Fragoso/NBAE via Getty Images)
After a historic night on Saturday, Arike Ogunbowale has won the 2024 WNBA All-Star Game MVP.
The Dallas Wings guard had 34 points, six assists and three rebounds for Team USA, setting the record for the most points ever in the event. Ogunbowale hit eight of her 13 three-point attempts on the way to the record-setting outing.
What makes Ogunbowale's 34-point outing even more impressive is that all of her points came in the second half. She posted a scoreless first half but went on a heater after the break to claim the trophy.
Ogunbowale has now won the All-Star Game MVP twice, with her first time winning it coming in just her third season in the league in 2021.
She'll now look to use the strong showing in the All-Star Game to propel her to a strong finish to the rest of the season. She's putting up career numbers this season, averaging 22.3 points, 5.2 assists and 4.8 rebounds per game.
Unfortunately for the Wings, Ogunbowale's outstanding season hasn't translated to the rest of the team as Dallas currently sits in last place in the WNBA standings at 6-19.
The Wings have had some bad injury luck this year with Satou Sabally out until after the Olympics with a shoulder injury and Natasha Howard missing 12 games early on this season with a foot injury. Maddy Siegrist recently broke her finger, meaning she will also miss time.
While a playoff run seems unlikely, the Wings will look to finish the year on a positive note and avoid any more injuries.
Wings' Satou Sabally Calls Lynx Fans 'Disgusting' for Yelling at Her During WNBA Game
Aug 23, 2023
WASHINGTON, DC - JUNE 02: Satou Sabally #0 of the Dallas Wings reacts to a play against the Washington Mystics during the second half of the game at Entertainment & Sports Arena on June 2, 2023 in Washington, DC. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images)
Dallas Wings star Satou Sabally called out Minnesota Lynx fans following her team's 91-86 loss on Tuesday night.
Sabally specifically took issue with the fans who seemed to revel in her turning her ankle in the final minute of the fourth quarter.
Disgusting fan base in Minny. The Schadenfreude to see someone get hurt can’t be a WNBA culture. Terrible words from the sidelines all game long
Things grew a bit tense on the court in the final frame.
Sabally was assessed a technical foul with 2:31 to play when she gave a slight shove Lynx forward Bridget Carleton. Carleton then received her second flagrant foul with 25.7 seconds on the clock when she impeded on Sabally's landing space on a three-point attempt, which is how Sabally injured her ankle. The Star Tribune's Kent Youngblood reported three fans were ejected from Target Center during the stoppage in play as referees reviewed the foul.
Lynx head coach Cheryl Reeve condemned what was said to Sabally and told reporters she reached out to the two-time All-Star to apologize on behalf of the organization. Minnesota star Napheesa Collier added it's "super inappropriate" for fans to celebrating an opposing player getting hurt and agreed with the decision to eject the fans.
Sabally is in the midst of a career year. She's averaging 17.8 points, 8.4 rebounds and 4.3 assists while shooting 35.5 percent from three-point range. Most importantly, the 25-year-old has avoided the injuries that have prevented her from fulfilling the massive potential that led her to being the No. 2 overall pick in the 2020 draft.
Thanks in part to Sabally's contributions, the Wings are on pace to finish over .500 for the first time since 2015. They'll look to avenge their defeat to Minnesota when they welcome in the Lynx on Thursday.
Charli Collier Waived by Dallas Wings; Was No. 1 Pick in 2021 WNBA Draft
May 17, 2023
PHOENIX, AZ - MAY 19: Charli Collier #35 of the Dallas Wings warms up before the game against the Phoenix Mercury on May 19, 2022 at Footprint Center in Phoenix, Arizona. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2022 NBAE (Photo by Barry Gossage/NBAE via Getty Images)
The Dallas Wings announced they waived Charli Collier after cutting their roster down to 12 players ahead of the 2023 WNBA season.
Collier, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2021 draft, averaged 2.9 points and 2.5 rebounds in 45 games during her two seasons with Dallas.
The 23-year-old is an example of how difficult it can be to carve out a WNBA career. Nearly the entire 2021 draft class is either effectively gone from the league or unsigned at the moment.
If I am counting correctly, with Dallas waiving Charli Collier this morning, only 6 players from the 2021 WNBA draft remain on rosters.
That is bleak.
— Hannah (Withiam) Taylor (@HannahWithiam) May 17, 2023
Slipped up on Guirantes, thanks for clarifying!
— Hannah (Withiam) Taylor (@HannahWithiam) May 17, 2023
The arrival of a new head coach (Latricia Trammell) theoretically allowed Collier to have a clean slate in Dallas. She has also played well for Israeli team A.S. Ramat-Hasharon overseas.
In 24 games, the 6'5" center averaged 13.3 points and 8.3 rebounds in Israel's top division. She made another seven appearances in the EuroCup Women, putting up 16.6 points and 8.0 boards per game.
However, playing time would have been difficult to come by for Collier after the Wings acquired Natasha Howard in a three-team trade with the Connecticut Sun and New York Liberty. They signed Teaira McCowan to an extension as well. Stephanie Soares, who was selected fourth overall in the 2023 draft, figures to be a long-term solution at the 5 once she recovers from a torn ACL.
The season tips off Friday, so the 12 rosters around the WNBA are set for the most part.
In the NBA, a player in Collier's position probably wouldn't have to wait long to land on their feet somewhere. In the WNBA, her future isn't so assured.
Sooner or later, Collier will likely get another chance, especially if the hardship exception opens up for a front office. That may not provide much long-term security, though, because she basically has to prove herself all over again.
Vickie Johnson's 2023 Contract Option Declined By Wings; Spent 2 Seasons as HC
Sep 19, 2022
UNCASVILLE, CT - AUGUST 21: Head Coach Vickie Johnson of the Dallas Wings speaks to the media before the game against the Connecticut Sun during Round 1 Game 2 of the 2022 WNBA Playoffs on August 21, 2022 at Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Connecticut. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2022 NBAE (Photo by Chris Marion/NBAE via Getty Images)
The Dallas Wings are making a coaching change after declining Vickie Johnson's option for the 2023 WNBA season.
Team president Greg Bibb provided a statement on the move:
While our organization has taken steps forward this season, at this time I believe a change provides our team with the best opportunity to achieve our long-term goals of advancing in the playoffs and ultimately competing for a WNBA Championship. I would like to thank Vickie for her work on behalf of the organization and wish her the best in her future endeavors.
The Wings went 32-36 in Johnson's two seasons on the sideline. Dallas made the playoffs in each of those two years.
It appears the current front office regime will remain in place, which raises a question that's bigger than who will replace Johnson: How much will a coaching change matter?
Arike Ogunbowale is an elite scorer but hasn't shown much improvement from when she entered the league.
The two-time All-Star averaged 19.1 points and 3.2 assists while shooting 38.8 percent from the field and 35.2 percent from beyond the arc as a rookie. This past season, she shot the same clip from beyond the arc with only marginal improvements to her overall shooting (40.0) and per-game averages (19.7 points and 3.6 assists).
Dallas is fully committed to Ogunbowale after signing her to a three-year max extension that begins next season, yet it's not clear whether the 25-year-old is the kind of franchise cornerstone who can get her team to the next level.
Granted, the Wings haven't done nearly enough to build the requisite supporting cast around Ogunbowale.
Charli Collier, the No. 1 pick in the 2021 draft, logged 78 total minutes in 2022. Awak Kuier, who was selected one pick later, averaged just 2.8 points and 2.5 rebounds in her 12.6 minutes on the floor in her second year.
Allisha Gray might be on the way out as well. Girls Talk Sports TV's Khristina Williams reported in July that Gray "most likely" will be traded this offseason.
Beyond Ogunbowale, there are reasons to be excited about the Wings' future, which will make them attractive to prospective candidates.
Marina Mabrey has taken her game to the next level after the Los Angeles Sparks traded her to Dallas. She was second on the team in scoring (13.6 points).
Satou Sabally has shown promise as well, but injuries have limited her availability. She appeared in 11 games after missing 15 games in 2021.
Still, it wasn't entirely Johnson's fault the Wings were sixth in the standings. This is a roster that was firmly in the middle ground between good and bad, and the fault for that belongs at the door of the front office.
As much as a new coach could help things, it will also be on Bibb to identify the necessary upgrades.
Candace Parker, Sky Top Arike Ogunbowale, Wings to Advance in 2021 WNBA Playoffs
Sep 24, 2021
Chicago Sky guard Courtney Vandersloot (22) shoots against the Dallas Wings during the first half in the first round of the WNBA basketball playoffs, Thursday, Sept. 23, 2021, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Kamil Krzaczynski)
Hosting their first playoff game in two years, the Chicago Sky gave the home crowd plenty to cheer about thanks to an 81-64win over the Dallas Wings to advance to the second round.
The Sky had an inconsistent regular season, resulting in a 16-16 overall record. They lost four of their final six games coming into the playoffs, but one of those wins was a 92-84 victory over the No. 2 seed Las Vegas Aces to clinch a postseason berth.
Dallas (14-18) was one of two teams to clinch a playoff berth with a losing record this season (New York Liberty, 12-20). The Wings hadn't made the postseason since 2018 and are still seeking their first playoff win since 2009 when the franchise was known as the Detroit Shock.
Candace Parker struggled to find her shooting rhythm, going just 5-of-15 from the floor to finish with 11 points. The two-time WNBA MVP still made an impact with 15 rebounds, seven assists and three steals.
Parker, Allie Quigley and Stefanie Dolson combined to finish +56 in the win.
The Sky looked like they would cruise to victory after leading by as many as 21 points in the second quarter and carrying a 44-29 advantage into halftime.
Dallas stormed back in the third quarter, going on an 18-7 run to cut the deficit down to four points. Two straight baskets by Stefanie Dolson and Allie Quigley gave Chicago a 55-47 lead.
Kahleah Copper's red-hot start was instrumental in getting the Sky out to an early advantage. She went 6-of-7 from the field and scored 12 of her team's 25 points in the first 10 minutes.
KAHHH 😎
After 1Q of play, @kahleahcopper has racked up 12 PTS and is 6-for-7 from the field
Jake Wolf of NBC Sports Edge cited Copper as a potential key for the Sky coming into the game based on how they fared when she shot well from the field:
I think Kahleah Copper’s efficiency could be the deciding factor for #skytown tonight against the Wings. Chicago went 10-5 when Copper shot at least 50% from the field and 6-11 when she made under half of her shot attempts #WNBATwitter
Copper did lead all Sky players in scoring, but she slowed down after that hot start. The All-Star guard had 11points over the final three quarters.
Satou Sabally anchored the third-quarter comeback for the Wings. She scored eight of her 12 points after head coach Vickie Johnson had her start the second half.
Arike Ogunbowale did most of the heavy lifting on offense for Dallas' starting five. The Notre Dame alum finished with 22 points on 8-of-16 shooting (5-of-10 from three-point range). She was the only member of the starting group to reach double digits in scoring.
Kayla Thornton and Bella Alaire were held scoreless, with Thornton missing each of her six shot attempts. Johnson elected to limit their minutes as the game went on, replacing them with Sabally and Isabelle Harrison.
When Sabally and Harrison were on the floor in the second half, the Wings made their run to get within shouting distance. Unfortunately, it turned out to be too late.
The Sky shot 45.2 percent overall from the floor and had a 47-35 rebounding advantage in the win. They will await the result of Thursday's second game between the New York Liberty and Phoenix Mercury to learn where they will be playing in the second round of the playoffs this weekend.
What's Next?
The Sky will play either the No. 3 Minnesota Lynx (22-10) or No. 4 Seattle Storm (21-11) on Sunday at 5 p.m. ET.
