The Dallas Wings dropped to 1-9 on the season after an 81-65 loss to the Minnesota Lynx on Sunday, marking their fifth straight defeat and third loss to the Lynx this year. It also marked their largest margin of defeat in the three matchups.
Still missing rookie guard Paige Bueckers and veteran Tyasha Harris, Dallas finished with more turnovers (15) than assists (14). The team again struggled to convert around the rim and failed to play a complete game on either end.
Head coach Chris Koclanes pointed to decision-making and missed opportunities in the paint as key issues. “Some of that is our decision making and we have to improve finishing around the rim, turnovers and missed layups lead to tough situations on the other end, and they definitely took advantage of that tonight,” he said postgame.
Koclanes Points to Turnovers and Shot Selection as Growth Areas
The Wings were held scoreless for the first four minutes of the third quarter and fell behind by double digits early in the game due to poor execution. Despite a late third-quarter surge that brought the game within one point, Dallas couldn’t sustain momentum in the fourth.
“Tough offensive stretches just keeps you having to grind and grind on the defensive end, and, a good team like that, they really take advantage of any type of slippage or missed coverage,” Koclanes added.
Chris Koclanes: “We have to improve finishing around the rim. Turnovers and missed layups lead to tough situations on the other end.”#WingsUp
— Joey Mistretta (@JoeyMistretta_) June 9, 2025
Everything ran through Arike Ogunbowale early, and for good reason. She dropped 20 of Dallas’ 39 first-half points, shooting 6-for-13 before the break and doing just about everything she could to keep them in it.
She finished with 26 points, six assists, and five boards. But the support just wasn’t there. No other Wings player hit double figures until late in the third, and by then, the gap had already started to stretch.
Koclanes emphasized the need for smarter decisions once Dallas gets inside. “We get the ball to the paint, we do. There’s no denying that we’re getting the ball to the paint. Now our growth area is, one, are we taking the right shots in the paint? Because, a couple games in a row now, I think we’re under 30 percent from the paint. And then are we seeing the kicks when we get there? So that’s our growth opportunity.”
Bueckers Remains Out as Dallas Continues to Struggle With Roster Stability
Sunday marked the fourth straight game without Bueckers, who was officially cleared from concussion protocol but missed the matchup due to illness. “Just dealing with an illness and being extremely cautious and supportive as an organization,” Koclanes said. “We hope to have her back soon.”
Bueckers had averaged 14.7 points, 6.7 assists, 4.7 rebounds, and 2.0 steals over her first six games before entering protocol. Her breakout 21-point performance on May 27 powered Dallas’ lone win of the season — a 109-87 blowout over the Connecticut Sun.
Harris is still nursing a left knee injury, and center Teaira McCowan was absent due to national team obligations. Center Luisa Geiselsöder is expected to leave soon for EuroBasket.
Per @TheAnastasia25, the Dallas Wings are scoring 5 Points less on a 5% lower FG Percentage (6% 3PT) with a more than TRIPLE Point Differential w/o Paige Bueckers
The MOST Impactful Rookie. pic.twitter.com/1xgkkM7GPu
— Paige Report (@paige_report) June 8, 2025
The lack of continuity has made it difficult for Dallas to generate rhythm, especially with a new head coach and a mostly restructured roster. Koclanes received boos during pregame introductions — a rare scene at College Park Center.
“It’s a long season, so we’re just gonna keep getting better,” Ogunbowale said. “New system. New everything. Just trying to get it together. Thankfully, I have great teammates around me.”