The Dallas Wings (19-14) are heading back home for a quick pit stop at College Park Center, where they will face the Toronto Tempo (10-22) Wednesday night. The matchup allows the Wings an opportunity to bounce back from their recent slide in the standings, losing the last five of six games.
Here are three things to note ahead of the matchup.
Dallas needs Azzi Fudd
The Wings have missed the services of Azzi Fudd as she recovers from right knee soreness. In her absence, the Wings have shot 29% from three in their two losses
to the Valkyries and Lynx, well below their season average of 34%. Her off-ball movement and quick release have made her an offensive threat for opposing defenses as a rookie. Her efficiency from the midrange gives the Wings a new punch to throw at teams. To add, she has borne the load of stepping into the role of the Wings’ leading perimeter defender, with her active hands on defense allowing her to intercept passing lanes. She has been a stable point through most of the Wings’ season, and they need their sharpshooting rookie to close the season.
Stepping up to the plate
In Sunday’s loss to the Lynx, several Wings stepped up to the plate amidst injuries. Heading into the game, the Wings were missing Fudd, and early in the game lost Jessica Shepard after she turned her ankle. Odyssey Sims and Aziaha James stepped up for Dallas amidst Fudd’s absence and Arike Ogunbowale’s struggles, allowing the Wings to stay competitive for about the first 25 minutes of the game before they were ultimately unable to handle the more talented Lynx. Alanna Smith has also had a nice stretch for Dallas, sliding back into the starting lineup. Her rebounding abilities have allowed the Wings to fight for extra possessions and may be needed if Shepard continues to miss time. Though the statuses of her and Fudd for Wednesday’s matchup are currently unknown, if the Wings will be without their services, they will have to continue to hold a “next woman up” mentality.
Take care of business
Closing games have been an Achilles’ heel for the Wings over the last two weeks. This was highlighted in their losses against the Washington Mystics and Atlanta Dream. The matchup against the Tempo allows the Wings to add a desperately needed tally back to the win column as the push for postseason seeding continues. Dallas currently sits firmly in the eighth seed heading into this matchup, with the Portland Fire sitting five and a half games behind them. A win against the Tempo would allow Dallas to gain some ground on the six- and seven-seeded teams, the Mystics and the New York Liberty. The Wings need to take care of business and not play with their food. Former Wing Marina Mabrey is coming off a 36-point heater in the Tempo’s Monday night loss to the Dream. She is one of the most electric scorers in the game, and the Wings will need to make her a defensive focus as her scoring acumen makes her a threat in any matchup. Ultimately, the most important thing for Dallas will be not to hang their heads too low heading into this one after their recent rough stretch. Take care of business and on to the next.
Where to watch
Catch the action Wednesday at 7 p.m. CT on USA Network and KFAA-TV.
