While Paige Bueckers’ viral four-point play generated a lot of buzz in the WNBA community on Sunday, it wasn’t enough to help the Dallas Wings overcome the Washington Mystics, as they suffered a 91-78 loss at College Park Center.
This defeat marked the team’s fifth consecutive loss since July 28, leaving them winless in August and grappling with several unresolved issues. After the game, Bueckers took a moment during the Wings’ media availability to address the team’s struggles.
Though there wasn’t much new to say, Bueckers expressed frustration that the team’s internal motivation wasn’t translating into tangible results when it mattered most. Despite the loss, she led all Wings players with 17 points in her return to the lineup.
Paige Bueckers Draws Line in Sand Regarding Wings’ Struggles
“We’ve talked about it enough,” Bueckers said. “I think we need to put action behind our words.”
Despite Dallas sitting at the bottom of the Western Conference with an 8-24 record, the team remains confident in head coach Chris Koclanes’ ability to guide them moving forward. In particular, forward Myisha Hines-Allen tried to deflect criticism ahead of the game, hoping to shield the team from external doubts before the loss took place.
“We’re all behind Chris,” Hines-Allen said. “It’s his first year and I think that gets tossed around.”
Koclanes said himself that things need to change, but the overnight fix is the furthest from an easy task.
“Stepping into this leadership role, [I’m] being challenged to step outside of character at times and when to hold people accountable in different ways and when to discipline in different ways, so I’m learning,” Koclanes said after the loss.
“You need to take a step back at times and understand what this organization decided to do in a lot of its moves, including this move right here,” Koclanes said, referencing himself.
No matter how it’s framed, the Wings are clearly in rebuild mode. Koclanes emphasized that he wants his players to trust the process and remain focused on progress, even if it means taking tough losses along the way. His goal is for the team to keep improving, both individually and as a group, regardless of the win-loss record.
“But if you can take a step back and think, ‘Are they learning and are they getting better?’ Koclanes asked. “And it might not look like it on the floor, but are the seeds being planted behind the scenes in the locker room for something that will ultimately lead to a positive culture?”
Dallas will have a chance to take a small step forward, as it attempts to spring a road upset Tuesday night against the Indiana Fever. Tip is set for 7:30 p.m. ET.
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