Dallas Wings forward Maddy Siegrist is on the mend from a right knee injury, which, although it won’t require surgery, is expected to sideline her for a while. This news, announced by the team on Tuesday, adds her to a growing list of players currently unavailable for the squad.
Siegrist suffered an anterolateral tibial plateau fracture during last Wednesday’s game against Phoenix. While the injury is serious, the Wings reported that she is projected to make a full recovery and is anticipated to return later this season. Originally drafted third overall in 2023 out of Villanova, Siegrist has made her mark this season, averaging 9.4 points and 5.2 rebounds over 11 games. The Wings recently exercised the option on her fourth-year rookie contract for the upcoming season, highlighting their commitment to her future.
As the team grapples with player shortages, including injuries to Siegrist and guard Tyasha Harris, they also face absences from centers Teaira McCowan and Luisa Geiselsoder due to national team commitments. To augment their roster, the Wings have added Seattle Storm center Li Yueru and former Atlanta Dream standout Haley Jones. The Wings traded two future draft picks to acquire Yueru, who previously averaged 2.8 points and 1.6 rebounds in limited action for Seattle.
Interestingly, Jones, who is eligible to play after fulfilling requirements for a hardship contract, brings valuable experience with her. She was a key player for the Phoenix Mercury, selected sixth overall in the 2023 WNBA Draft, and earned a spot on the AP All-Rookie Team.
Dallas, facing a challenging home stretch with five consecutive losses at home and an 0-8 record against Western Conference teams, is looking toward their next matchup against the Golden State Valkyries on June 17. Currently, the Wings are ranked seventh in the WNBA with an average of 19.3 assists per game, led by Arike Ogunbowale.
With the influx of new talent and a shakeup in the lineup, there is hope that the Wings can turn their season around and break their home losing streak. The team’s resilience and the contributions from new signings could be key as they fight for a stronger position in the league.