The Dallas Wings just got hit with some brutal news: Alanna Smith, a key piece of their squad, suffered a lower leg injury in the first half against the Chicago Sky on Sunday and is now doubtful for Thursday's game against the New York Liberty. This isn't just a minor setback, either. Smith's already battling a list of injuries this season, and losing her right now could be absolutely devastating for a team riding a serious wave of momentum.
Wings' Streak Runs into a Defensive Wall
Look, the Wings are on fire, no doubt about it. They've racked up five straight wins, including a hard-fought 96-91 victory over the Sky on Sunday. We've seen them pull off those incredible late-game comebacks all season, and Sunday was just another example. Paige Bueckers has been nothing short of magical when they've needed her in the fourth quarter. But here's the thing: while they're shooting lights out, ranked fourth in the W with 46.3% from the field, their defense has been leaking oil in the last couple of outings. Toronto torched them for 54.7% shooting, and Chicago hit 48%. Those are not championship numbers, folks. Those performances forced Dallas to rely entirely on Bueckers' heroics, and that's a dangerous game to play, especially with Smith potentially out.Ionescu is Heating Up and It's Going to Be a Problem
Meanwhile, the New York Liberty are in a slump, losing three straight and seven of their last nine. They came into the season with huge expectations, planning to be a top team in the W, but it just hasn't clicked. Their latest loss was a 93-91 heartbreaker to the Toronto Tempo on Sunday. Yet, even with all that losing, Sabrina Ionescu is finally hitting her stride. She just dropped 28 points against Toronto, shooting 9-of-18 from the field and 3-of-7 from deep. That's her second straight game with at least 20 points, after putting up 25 against the Minnesota Lynx on July 11. Ionescu's battled a preseason ankle injury and a three-week back injury this season, delaying her usual form. But remember, she's averaged 18 points per game for the last two seasons and has been an All-Star and All-WNBA player for four straight years. With Breanna Stewart also averaging 20.4 points per game, a red-hot Ionescu is a huge headache for any defense, let alone one that's been struggling like Dallas has lately. The Wings and Liberty both rank in the top five for field goal shooting, with New York hitting 45.9%. Dallas has actually done a solid job defending New York in their previous matchups this season, limiting them to 38.9% on May 24 and 40% on July 7. But can they remember how to do that, especially without Smith, when Ionescu is finally back to her All-WNBA self? This Thursday night game is going to be a true test of Dallas's resilience and defensive strategy. They need to find that old defensive mojo, or this winning streak might just disappear.This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.