The Dallas Wings secured a playoff position this season, breaking a two-year playoff drought, but lost in the first round to the Golden State Valkyries. The Dallas Wings are seeded the seventh seed in the WNBA this year, having finished fourth in their conference with a record of 27-17.
This is a huge improvement from the previous two years, in which the Wings did not win more than 10 games in the season, and did not make the playoffs.
But their luck has changed since a new coach has arrived. Jose Fernandez, head coach of the Dallas Wings, joined the team last year in Oct. 2025. With over 35 years of coaching experience, including 25 years with the University of South Florida, his coaching experience and hard work with the Wings has led to great improvement from the team.
With big names such as Paige Bueckers and Azzi Fudd putting up numbers for the team, the Wings had a very successful season. Unfortunately, Azzi Fudd, the number one draft pick for the Dallas Wings, was taken out by a knee injury in early August, costing the Wings an important player.
Entering the playoffs with a winning record made the Wings hopeful, but it was going to be an uphill battle. For the first round of playoffs, the Wings faced the Number 2 seeded Golden State Valkyries.
After a crushing loss in Game 1, the Wings fought back in Game 2, winning in overtime 108-100. This game not only saved their playoff run, but also broke a WNBA record. In the game, Arike Ogubowale, an eight-year veteran of the team, scored 45 points, breaking the record of points ever scored in a playoff game in the WNBA.
The previous record, 42 points, had been set in 2010 and had been matched several times, but never beaten.
In Game 3, the Wings played a tight defense but still lost to the Valkyries 73- 77, knocking them out of the postseason. Despite the playoff defeat, this season has been an absolute victory for the Wings in terms of improvement.
Last year, the Wings were at the bottom of the league, tied with the Chicago Sky for the worst record. This year, they jumped to seventh.
They reached the playoffs this year, and with a stellar lineup, an experienced coach and a good offseason, the Dallas Wings might have a good shot at the playoffs next year.