A primer to the Dallas Wings' playoff run
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The Dallas Wings celebrate after a game on Aug. 30 at College Park Center in Arlington. Photo: Michael Gonzales/NBAE via Getty Images
The Dallas Wings are in the playoffs for the first time since 2023.
Why it matters: The Wings completed the biggest turnaround in WNBA history, going from 10-34 last year, tied for the worst in the league, to a franchise-best 27-17.
Flashback: The Wings were the fourth seed heading into the playoffs in 2023. They advanced to the semifinals but lost to the Las Vegas Aces, who went on to win the championship that year.
The latest: The Wings, seeded No. 7, play the Golden State Valkyries, the No. 2 seed, in the first round of the playoffs.
- The three-game series begins in San Francisco at 9pm Monday. Dallas hosts Game 2 of the series Wednesday.
- Game 3 would be played in San Francisco.
What they're saying: "We need to be able to put together 40 minutes," Wings forward Jessica Shepard said recently on Sue Bird's podcast. "Come playoff time, obviously every possession is really important. So I think controlling those things as much as we can will be really important for us."
State of play: Paige Bueckers has emerged as the connector of her team who builds individual relationships with each of her teammates and encourages them through celebrations and hardships.
- "When the face of the franchise is like that, it allows for the team to be really successful. I love P, love her," Shepard said.
- Shepard herself recorded six triple-doubles in the regular season, the most of any WNBA player this year.
Yes, but: The Valkyries ended the season 32-12 and won all three of their games against the Wings this season.
- The Wings are also without Azzi Fudd, this year's No. 1 draft pick, who is out for the season because of a knee injury.
Worthy of your time: This Dallas Morning News story about the Wings experiencing a watershed moment in North Texas.