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Karima Christmas-Kelly to miss the remainder of the season

By Jada Butts

UNCASVILLE, CONNECTICUT- May 7: Karima Christmas-Kelly #13 of the Dallas Wings in action during the Dallas Wings Vs New York Liberty, WNBA pre season game at Mohegan Sun Arena on May 7, 2018 in Uncasville, Connecticut. (Photo by Tim Clayton/Corbis via Getty Images)
UNCASVILLE, CONNECTICUT- May 7: Karima Christmas-Kelly #13 of the Dallas Wings in action during the Dallas Wings Vs New York Liberty, WNBA pre season game at Mohegan Sun Arena on May 7, 2018 in Uncasville, Connecticut. (Photo by Tim Clayton/Corbis via Getty Images) /
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A key cog in Dallas’ machine is lost for the season.

Injuries affect every team, but some are particularly tough to weather. The Dallas Wings announced today that Karima Christmas-Kelly will undergo season-ending knee surgery and will miss the remainder of the 2018 season.

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Christmas-Kelly is a co-captain and a veteran leader for Dallas. Head coach Fred Williams spoke on her contribution to the Wings. “Karima will be truly missed this season,” Williams said in a press release. “Her mental toughness and leadership is something that can’t be replaced. We support her 100% on her decision to have the surgery on her knee. Knowing her, she will bounce back strong and continue her basketball playing career in the WNBA. She will continue to be a strong voice for us on sidelines to help develop our young team.”

Although Christmas-Kelly will embark upon recovery over the next six months, her presence and voice can really make a difference to these young players who are eager to learn. With Christmas-Kelly being in her eighth season, she in the most experienced player on the Dallas Wings roster. Although Karima describes herself to be a leader by example, the knowledge that she has gained from this league is so valuable and can truly help in these young player’s development. Basketball is such a mental game, and even on the sidelines Christmas-Kelly will be able to continue to develop her IQ from a different perspective.

Filling Christmas-Kelly’s spot will have to be done by committee for the Wings. We should expect Kaela Davis to see more time, as well as Ariel Powers. When I spoke with Coach Williams, he really highlighted how comfortable Davis is becoming and how her confidence is growing. Powers is just returning from injury, but they both will be able to contribute to this team’s success.

CEO Greg Bibb expressed the meaning of Christmas-Kelly’s absence, but also sees it as an opportunity for the Wings to continue to get better. “This situation opens the door for our younger players to play more prominent roles for the remainder of this season,” Bibb said in a release. “I look forward to seeing how they respond to this opportunity as we continue our quest to qualify for the playoffs and ultimately compete for a WNBA Championship.”

Granted a roster hardship exemption, the Wings signed Teana Muldrow of West Virginia, who was drafted by the Seattle Storm in the third round (29th overall) of the 2018 WNBA draft. Muldrow played small forward at West Virginia, and constantly drew mismatches because of her size and shooting range helping her to become a finalist for the 2018 Cheryl Miller Award, given to the nation’s best small forward. She averaged18.9 points and 6.8 rebounds in her senior season.

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