The Golden State Valkyries and Dallas Wings both will look to end losing streaks Sunday afternoon when they meet in Arlington, Texas.
For expansion Golden State (18-18), escaping its three-game skid is a little more important. The Valkyries are trying to stay in the hunt for a playoff berth, currently holding down the eighth and final spot.
Dallas (9-28) has dropped four in a row and is playing for pride at this point after being eliminated from playoff contention.
The Valkyries have another big concern moving forward in Tiffany Hayes, one of the team’s top scoring threats at 11.7 points per game. She collided with Kahleah Copper in Friday’s 81-72 loss to the Phoenix Mercury.
Head coach Natalie Nakase said in the postgame news conference it’s a wait-and-see mode for Hayes. Still, the team has to keep pushing ahead.
“This has always kind of come down to a team effort,” Nakase said. “We always need to utilize everyone. And we understand the importance of healthy bodies.”
Nakase said the physical nature of the Friday game didn’t surprise her.
“I did think the game got a little bit too physical, especially with two teams trying to fight for a playoff spot,” Nakase said.
The injury-riddled Wings are coming off a 95-60 loss to the Seattle Storm on Friday.
More than a handful of players are currently sidelined, including Arike Ogunbowale, who was averaging 15.5 points per outing before going out with a knee issue.
Rookie Paige Bueckers continues to do her best to help the team shake off its woes, averaging 19.4 points and 5.1 assists per contest — both team highs.
Bueckers scored a rookie record 44 points in an 81-80 loss to the Los Angeles Sparks on Wednesday. And while she was held to just 11 on Friday, she became only the second rookie in league history to amass more than 500 points, 150 assists, 100 rebounds and 50 steals in a season. Caitlin Clark is the other.
Despite all the struggles, the Wings refuse to fold.
“Sticking together and staying true to the process over and over again,” Dallas head coach Chris Koclanes told reporters. “We have the ability now to be resilient, stay together, learn from it and come out with different effort and energy against Golden State on Sunday.”
–Field Level Media
