The Dallas Wings are heading back to the playoffs. After Monday night’s win over the New York Liberty, the Wings are advancing to the playoffs again.
Rough beginnings
Dallas started off the season on an up-and-down rollercoaster. During their nine games, the Wings would finish the month 5-4. Losses against the Atlanta Dream, Washington Mystics, Connecticut Sun and Los Angeles Sparks would see the Wings average only 71.5 points per game in these four games. New additions to their roster this year would be Veronica Burton (seventh overall pick), Teaira McCowan and Jasmine Dickey (30th overall pick). After their first game of the season, the Dallas Wings would come to terms with veteran point guard Moriah Jefferson on a buyout.
A Sour Month of June
The Wings road in June didn’t have the uptick in wins that the team was hoping for. Through eleven games, Dallas would put together a 4-7 record. Averaging 80.6 ppg for the month is relatively solid. However, Dallas’ poor defense showed and they would allow nearly 82 points per game during the month. Altogether, in their seven losses (against Seattle, Las Vegas, Phoenix, Atlanta and Minnesota), they would give up 86.3 ppg.
A Mediocre July
July wouldn’t prove to be much better for Dallas. Though they would play only nine games for the month, the Wings would once again mount an under .500 record (4-5). Despite their offensive output increasing to 83.8 ppg, they would also allow their opponents to score [on average] 84.1 ppg. The Wings would have a crucial win against the Connecticut Sun on July 5, where they held them to just 71 points. Likewise, in their five losses for the month (against Chicago, Seattle, Los Angeles and Washington), they would give up 89 ppg. Unfortunately, defensive struggles would continue to be the Wings’ downfall throughout the season. One positive note is that Arike Ogunbowale would again be named an All-star.
A Hot August
The Wings would enter the season’s final two weeks with an overall record of 13-16. Ogunbowale would be sidelined with a hip injury and ruled for several weeks. No Arike? No problem. Dallas would start off the month on a four-game winning streak. Key victories over Chicago and Las Vegas to start the month would give them a solid lead over teams below them in the standings. Concurrently, they would follow up with wins over the Indiana Fever and the New York Liberty and eventually snap their winning streak with a loss against New York. Simultaneously, the insertion of McCowan and the absence of Ogunbowale would see Teaira flourish inside. Through the fives games in August, McCowan would average a double-double of 18.2 ppg and 12.8 rpg.
Remaining schedule: Friday against the Phoenix Mercury and Sunday against the Los Angeles Sparks. Wings are locked into the sixth seed and have nothing at stake in their final games. Nevertheless, this could be an opportunity to rest a few players and give some playing time to Awak Kuier, Charli Collier and Dickey.
Playoff Outlook
It’s unknown who the Wings will face in the first round, but it appears it’ll be either Connecticut or Las Vegas. Overall, against the top five teams in the league, Dallas only has a winning record against the Sun (2-1). In addition, they hold a 1-2 record against Chicago, Las Vegas and Washington and a 1-3 record against Seattle. Will the Wings be better off without Arike? Has McCowan been their hidden gem all season? The WNBA Playoffs begin on Wednesday, Aug. 17.
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