Dallas Wings Struggle Post-All Star Break, Paige Bueckers and Azzi Fudd's Absence Takes Toll

The Dallas Wings have been struggling since the All-Star break, with a 2-7 record that has seen them plummet to eighth place in the WNBA standings. Despite being four and a half games ahead of the expansion Portland Fire, the team's hopes of making a postseason run have faded.

The injuries to key players Azzi Fudd and Jessica Shepard have significantly impacted the team's performance. Fudd, the team's best 3-point shooter, has been sidelined since August 5 due to a right knee injury. Shepard, who leads the team in rebounding and is third in scoring and second in assists, has also missed multiple games due to an ankle injury.

The absence of Fudd and Shepard has had a significant impact on the team's offense, with the Wings shooting 35.5% from 3-point range with Fudd on the floor and 29.7% with her off. The team also shoots 70.2% at the rim when Fudd is on the floor and 60.5% with her off.

Paige Bueckers, the 2025 Rookie of the Year, has also not been at her best since the All-Star break. Her numbers are down across the board, aside from her turnovers, which are up, and she's shooting significantly worse from 3-point range.

The team's schedule has been difficult since the All-Star break, with a mix of home and away games against top teams. However, their schedule is about to get a whole lot easier, with a six-game homestand starting this week.

| Team | Record Against Wings | | --- | --- | | Lynx | 0-4 | | Valkyries | 0-3 | | Aces | 2-1 | | Fever | 1-1 | | Dream | 0-3 | | Liberty | 2-1 | | Mystics | 1-2 |

The Wings' inability to beat good teams is a real concern for their postseason hopes. They have a 0-7 record against top-eight opponents during this stretch and a 6-15 record against other playoff opponents.

The team's coach, Jose Fernandez, has made headlines with his postgame comments, including a puzzling statement about Awak Kuier's potential to play for the Golden State Valkyries. The team's players have also expressed frustration with the team's performance, with Alanna Smith saying that lineups are a question for the coach.

The Dallas Wings still have a chance to climb out of eighth place and make a push for the playoffs. However, they will need to find a way to overcome their injuries and improve their performance against top teams.