The Dallas Wings had only eight players available when they faced the Phoenix Mercury, and started four rookies. That can be a recipe for disaster, especially against one of the top teams in the league. For the Wings, it was a recipe for success, though. The rookies showed out, playing with great chemistry and leading the Wings to a massive win.
All season long, the focus has been on Paige Bueckers and her rookie season. However, she wasn’t the only rookie who impressed for Dallas. Fellow rookies Aziaha James, JJ Quinerly, and Luisa Geiselsöder also showed out, handily making up for the absences of Arike Ogunbowale, DiJonai Carrington, Ty Harris, and Maddy Siegrist.
Combining for 72 of the Wings’ 98 points, 19 rebounds, and 19 assists, the four rookies sent a clear message: Dallas has a great young core that fits well together and can win games.
The Wings cannot ignore what their rookies just did
To start the season, the Wings relied heavily on their more veteran players. JJ Quinerly only played more than ten minutes three times in her first ten games. Aziaha James was also battling for minutes, and Luisa Geiselsöder only saw her minutes explode in early June. Against Phoenix, all three played over thirty minutes, marking career highs for Quinerly and James after a string of games that saw them get more playing time.
James also set new career highs for points, assists, and made threes. Quinerly recorded career highs in points, rebounds, and assists. The Wings’ rookies showed what they are capable of when given big minutes. They led the Wings in every aspect of the game.
Most importantly, all three of James, Quinerly, and Geiselsöder are great fits next to Paige Bueckers, giving the Wings a group of young players to develop together.
Injuries forced coach Chris Koclanes’s hand and pushed some of the rookies into bigger roles than they had previously played. However, after a performance like this, Koclanes and GM Curt Miller should seriously consider making this group of young players the Wings’ focus.
The Wings have already made some great moves
Curt Miller joined the Dallas Wings in November 2024. Since then, he has made some great moves as the team’s GM. Drafting Paige Bueckers was an easy decision that was basically made for him. Adding Aziaha James late in the first round and JJ Quinerly in the third round, turned out to be great decisions. Both are good fits next to Bueckers and have shown their potential this season.
Trading for Li Yueru was also a solid move. The Wings needed a better frontcourt, and Yueru has played well since joining the team. She also seems to be well-liked by her teammates.
Most recently, Miller turned NaLyssa Smith into a 2027 first-round pick. Smith wasn’t necessarily a great fit for the team, and 2027 will be a stacked draft, so that is a win as well.