Amid a period of injury-riddled chaos, the Wings get a marquee victory over the Mercury
Dallas Wings Chief Executive Officer & Managing Partner Greg Bibb applauds the teams play in the fourth quarter against the Phoenix Mercury at College Park Center in Arlington, July 3, 2025. The Wings won, 98-89.
ARLINGTON — The Dallas Wings bench had more players in street clothes than uniforms on Thursday night at College Park Center, but the injury-riddled team looked far from hobbled in what was arguably their most significant win of the season.
Dallas Wings forward Myisha Hines-Allen (2) congratulates guard Aziaha James (10) on her second half performance at College Park Center in Arlington, July 3, 2025. James was the leading scorer with 28 pts as the beat the Mercury, 98-89.
Dallas (6-13) beat the Phoenix Mercury (12-6), one of the top teams in the league, 98-89 a day after a practice that saw just six players fully participate.
Dallas Wings forward Myisha Hines-Allen (2) congratulates guard Aziaha James (10) on her second half performance at College Park Center in Arlington, July 3, 2025. James was the leading scorer with 28 pts as the beat the Mercury, 98-89.
“Just really proud and excited for this group. They’re just fearless and they really have a tremendous belief in who’s in that locker room, regardless of who is suiting up that night,” Wings coach Chris Koclanes said.
Dallas Wings guard Aziaha James (10) puts up a fourth quarter shot over Phoenix Mercury guard Monique Akoa Makani (8) at College Park Center in Arlington, July 3, 2025. The Wings won, 98-89.
The Wings’ injury situation was so dire that Dallas needed to sign a 12th player to the roster before Thursday’s game to avoid forfeit.
Dallas Wings guard JJ Quinerly (11) reaches back for the ball as shes covered by Phoenix Mercury guard Sami Whitcomb (33) during the second half at College Park Center in Arlington, July 3, 2025. The Wings won, 98-89.
With only eight players available by game time, the Wings did more with less on a night when the rookies stole the show. Aziaha James, the 12th pick in the 2025 WNBA draft, led the way with 28 points on 10-of-20 shooting and No. 1 overall pick Paige Bueckers scored 23 points, finishing 8-of-11 from the floor.
Dallas Wings guard Paige Bueckers (5) wears a pair of red/blue Nike shoes against the Phoenix Mercury at College Park Center in Arlington, July 3, 2025. The Wings won, 98-89.
“We faced a lot of adversity this whole week and we never gave up on ourselves,” James said. “We stayed together. We stayed composed. We did what we had to do tonight.”
Dallas Wings center Luisa Geiselsoder (18) and guard JJ Quinerly (11) try to corral the ball as Phoenix Mercury forward Satou Sabally (0) mixes it up during the second half at College Park Center in Arlington, July 3, 2025. The Wings won, 98-89.
The Wings outscored the Mercury 11-2 to start the game, ending the first quarter with a 12-point lead and piecing together a 29-point quarter to carry an 18-point advantage into halftime. Dallas scored 37 points after the break to secure its sixth win of the season.
Dallas Wings guard Paige Bueckers (5) passes the ball over Phoenix Mercury center Kalani Brown (21) during the second half at College Park Center in Arlington, July 3, 2025. The Wings won, 98-89.
Thursday’s performance in no way reflected what has been a roller coaster of a week that began with the trade of NaLyssa Smith to the Las Vegas Aces on Monday and included the signing of Liatu King to a rest-of-season contract on Wednesday.
Injured Dallas Wings guard Arike Ogunbowale smiles during player introductions before the team faces Phoenix at College Park Center in Arlington, July 3, 2025.
King, a Notre Dame alum drafted 28th overall by the Los Angles Sparks in the 2025 WNBA draft, didn’t play much on Thursday but her signing was crucial for the Wings to have enough available personnel to compete with the Mercury, who beat the Wings 93-80 on June 11 despite Bueckers’ career-high 35 points.
Dallas Wings guard Paige Bueckers (5) has the ball stripped from her hands by Phoenix Mercury guard Sami Whitcomb (33) during the first half at College Park Center in Arlington, July 3, 2025.
Wings star guard Arike Ogunbowale, who is nursing a left thumb injury, and guard-forward DiJonai Carrington, who has been dealing with a rib injury, were both ruled out for Thursday’s clash with the Mercury. Guard Tyasha Harris, who joined Ogunbowale and Carrington on the sideline in street clothes, is out for the season with a left knee injury. While forward Maddy Siegrist, also present on the bench, has made progress with her right knee fracture, there isn’t a timeline on when she’ll be back.
Dallas Wings teammates check on teammate Paige Bueckers after she was driven to the floor by Phoenix Mercury guard Kahleah Copper during the second half at College Park Center in Arlington, July 3, 2025. The Wings won, 98-89.
Bueckers, who was recently named a starter in the 2025 WNBA All-Star game and the league’s Rookie of the Month for June, has also dealt with injury struggles.
Dallas Wings guard Paige Bueckers (5) covers Phoenix Mercury guard Sami Whitcomb (33) during the second half at College Park Center in Arlington, July 3, 2025. The Wings won, 98-89.
After scoring a team-high 27 points against the Indiana Fever last Friday at American Airlines Center, she sat out the Washington Mystics game the following Saturday due to soreness in her right knee. But it was only a precautionary measure.
Dallas Wings forward Myisha Hines-Allen (2) gets in Phoenix Mercury forward Alyssa Thomas (25) face as she drives the lane during the second half at College Park Center in Arlington, July 3, 2025. The Wings won, 98-89.
Bueckers, who dealt with injury-plagued rosters at UConn, said she’s used to competing when shorthanded. But on Thursday the Wings weren’t shorthanded in the front court. Teaira McCowan and Luisa Geiselsöder returned from their EuroBasket obligations this week, teaming up with 6-7 center Li Yueru, who joined the Wings on June 14 through a trade with the Seattle Storm.
Dallas Wings guard JJ Quinerly (11) stripped the ball from Phoenix Mercury guard Sami Whitcomb (33) in the closing minute of the first half at College Park Center in Arlington, July 3, 2025.
Along with the dynamic rookie guards, the three centers played big on Thursday. The Wings weathered the storm of injuries and are now enjoying their second win streak of 2025.
Dallas Wings guard Paige Bueckers (5) puts up an off-balance shot against the Phoenix Mercury during he first half at College Park Center in Arlington, July 3, 2025.
“I feel like we’ve always had it in us. If you look at our games, they’re never out of hand,” Bueckers said. “Our record could be flipped if we just closed out some games better, so we just always have this belief in us.”
Dallas Wings center Li Yueru (28) wrestles for the ball against Phoenix Mercury forward Satou Sabally (0) during he first half at College Park Center in Arlington, July 3, 2025.
Dallas Wings head coach Chris Koclanes yells to guard Aziaha James (10) as they get back on offense against the Phoenix Mercury in the first half at College Park Center in Arlington, July 3, 2025.
©2025 The Dallas Morning News. Visit dallasnews.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
Dallas Wings guard Paige Bueckers (5) drives around Phoenix Mercury guard Monique Akoa Makani (8) during he first half at College Park Center in Arlington, July 3, 2025.
Dallas Wings guard JJ Quinerly (11) reacts after sinking a first quarter three-pointer against the Phoenix Mercury at College Park Center in Arlington, July 3, 2025.
Dallas Wings guard Paige Bueckers (5) drives past Phoenix Mercury center Kalani Brown (21) during the first half at College Park Center in Arlington, July 3, 2025.
