Finally, the Dallas Wings can get down to the business of basketball.
On Thursday, Dallas travels to Indianapolis to take on the Indiana Fever for their first preseason game (7 p.m. ET, ION).
The contest serves as the official-but-unofficial on-court reunion for Paige Bueckers and Azzi Fudd, a duo that just so happened to win a NCAA national championship last time they shared a court together. So, it seems reasonable to assume that they could likewise do something special together in the WNBA.
However,
that won’t come on Thursday, and it might not come this season.
As Zack Ward broke down, it has taken time for teams that have secured back-to-back No. 1 picks to find consistent WNBA success. Modest improvement should be the expectation in Dallas.
That said, modest expectations do not have to come with muted excitement. And there are plenty of things to anticipate about the Wings.
Zack noted that backcourt chemistry between Bueckers, Fudd and Arike Ogunbowale will be key to the team potentially exceeding expectations. That process can’t begin just yet, as Arike has yet to arrive in Dallas after her WCBA stint.
For head coach Jose Fernandez, the focus is on the other end of the floor, as he cited defense and rebounding as the two areas of emphases. Fernandez, however, did not exactly offer a ringing endorsement of his team’s ability to play his standard in those areas—at least not yet.
Wings fan, what do you want to see from your squad?
Do you hope to see Paige press her advantages, setting the tone for an aggressive scoring season by looking for her own shot? Or, do prefer playmaker Paige who prioritizes getting her teammates involved? What about for Azzi? Certainly, it will feel great when she swishes that first 3. Do you hope she is empowered to do more than just shoot?
On the other side, Indiana enters the contest with a preseason game under their belt, although it sounds like the team still will not be at full strength, with head coach Stephanie White indicating the Aliyah Boston, Lexie Hull and Ty Harris will not participate due lingering injuries.
Their absences, particularly that of Boston, prevents a team in need of reps together from establishing that rhythm.
While the Wings, with their most recent back-to-back No. 1 picks, are at the start of their ascent, the Fever, with their No. 1 pick pairing of Boston and Caitlin Clark are aiming to complete theirs, as a championship is the goal in Indy. Edwin Garcia articulated how Clark can make that aspiration a reality by refining her game.
Fever faithful, do you agree that this is a chips-in-for-the-championship season?
What are your expectations for Clark? What about Boston? And, after a sterling debut against the Liberty, how are you feeling about Raven Johnson? Do you believe in her as the full-time backup point guard?
A mixed bag of WNBA preseason performances
Wednesday’s games were a reminder why its unwise, yet irresistable, to invest too much in preseason games.
Angel Reese’s return to Chicago didn’t deliver any drama, or much on-court insight. Reese and the other members of the Atlanta Dream’s staring core who were available—Allisha Gray, Rhyne Howard and Jordin Canada—logged no more than 13 minutes against the Sky. And when those four were on the court together, there was a lot more Sika Koné than expected. Still, Reese tallied eight points, seven boards, two assists and three steals.
Playing time for Madina Okot and Te-Hina Paopao, the Dream’s highest drafted players in 2026 and 2025, respectively, was instead the priority for Atlanta, which prevailed 87-78 over Chicago. As was already understood, Okot needs some sharpening to succeed as a reliable WNBA big. But she certainly looked like she belonged, finishing with a 14-point and 11-rebound double-double.
The Sky again were incomplete, without not only Azurá Stevens, DiJonai Carrington and Courtney Vandersloot, all of whom are recovering from injuries, but also Skylar Diggins, who was absent for personal reasons. Somewhat puzzlingly, Gabriela Jaquez, the No. 5 overall pick in 2026, received only 12 minutes of playing time, scoring four points and grabbing four rebounds.
In Toronto, Marina Mabrey and Brittney Sykes were late scratches for the Tempo, making if difficult to gain a perspective of how the Canadian expansion team might come together. The Connecticut Sun secured the 83-78 win behind 21 off-the-bench points from Aneesah Morrow. The Sun also seemed to signal their belief in 2026 second-round selection Charlisse Leger-Walker, who demonstrated WNBA-readiness in her 24 minutes.
For the Tempo, it was encouraging to see Lexi Held thriving after her 2025 season was cut short due to a collapsed lung and rib injury. She led the team with 22 points. Kiki Rice, drafted No. 6 overall in 2026, scored five points in her first WNBA action.
In Seattle, the story was (again) Flau’jae Johnson. The No. 8 overall pick who was traded on draft night delivered a second-straight promising performance for the Storm in a victory over the Portland Fire, 91-81. Flau’jae scored 20 points in 19 minutes, hitting three 3-pointers.
For the Fire, it looks like head coach Alex Sarama believes in Sarah Ashlee Barker, as she played 33 minutes, scoring 14 points, in Portland’s first preseason game.
Finally, the Phoenix Mercury took care of Japan, 86-60. It’s curious that Phoenix’s starting group of Alyssa Thomas, Kahleah Copper, DeWanna Bonner, Sami Whitcomb and Natasha Mack all played at least 21 minutes. Those players are sure things compared to a bench full of questions. No reserve played more than Kianna Williams and her 16 minutes. With another solid showing from 3, Williams looks like a final roster lock for Phoenix.
What stood out to you from Wednesday’s preseason play? Who showed you what you wanted to see? Whose performances raised some concerns?
