The Dallas Wings (20-15) are slated to take on the Golden State Valkyries (24-9) in San Francisco as the sole Monday night matchup across the league. This matchup marks an opportunity for the Wings to wipe their hands clean of Friday’s 98-87 loss to Caitlin Clark’s Indiana Fever, where they once again wilted down the stretch. The second-seeded Valkyries have been highly regarded as a championship contender in their second season as a franchise, led by Gabby Williams, Janelle Salaun, and former Wing (it’s
infinitely frustrating how many great players wear this title) Veronica Burton.
The Wings have listed Azzi Fudd (knee) and Aziaha James (leg) as out for Monday’s matchup, with Jessica Shepard (ankle) upgraded to probable. Head Coach Jose Fernandez seemed to indicate that Fudd and Shepard are both trending in a positive direction, coming at a desperately needed time for Dallas as they battle for final playoff seeding.
Here are three points to note heading into a matchup where the Wings will have their hands full.
Bubble wrap everyone and come back home healthy
Dallas can’t afford to lose anyone else to injuries as the end of the season nears. Over the last couple of weeks, it feels like the Wings have passed around the injury bug. With James, Fudd, and Shepard out, Dallas will have to go deep into their bench again. Health will be of the utmost importance for Dallas as they return home for a six-game homestand. The Valkyries are a tough team on both ends of the floor, and Dallas can’t continue to lose more bodies.
Paige has to get more opportunities down the stretch
Paige Bueckers only had two shot attempts in the fourth quarter of Friday’s loss. Bueckers was the best player in the game, yet Dallas struggled to get good looks for her. With the Wings being shorthanded, they do not have the personnel for players to step up when they are down three players and during tough matchups for Arike Ogunbowale. The Wings will have to lean on Bueckers down the stretch until they can get some of their offensive firepower back in. Jessica Shepard’s potential return would give the Wings the chance to take some offensive pressure off of Bueckers, though she has consistently shown that she can put the team on her back when they need it, and they will have to rely on her heavily in a matchup against the Valkyrie’s grueling defense.
Record vs. playoff teams
The Wings are 6-14 against the seven other teams currently in the playoff picture this season, highlighting Dallas’ issues in matching up with tough opponents. Though the Wings have been shorthanded during four of those losses, Dallas has displayed a detrimental issue with how they execute games down the stretch. At the helm of these losses is the Wings’ looming issue of their inability to defend their opponents. Seven of their losses against playoff teams have come in the last month, and the Wings have posted a 112.9 defensive rating, eighth in the league during this stretch.
In Shepard’s absence, Awak Kuier has stepped up in the paint with her length and defensive skills. The Wings will have their work cut out for them against the red-hot Valkyries, who have won five straight games. At this point in the season, every game matters for seeding for the Wings, and a win against a gritty Valkyries team in the hunt for a championship would put the Wings in the seven seed, ahead of the Mystics.
Where to watch
Catch the Monday night matchup on Peacock and NBC Sports Network at 9 p.m. CT.
