Sun, Wings playing for pride and aiming for improvement

Two of the WNBA's three worst teams play each other Wednesday night when the Dallas Wings host the Connecticut Sun in Arlington, Texas.

Connecticut (9-28) and Dallas (9-29) are eliminated from playoff contention but are looking to finish strong and build momentum for what they hope is a better 2026. Connecticut had a three-game winning streak going before it was snapped Monday night, and the Wings have somebody to build around in rookie Paige Bueckers.

Bueckers scored in double figures for 30 straight games before being held to nine points on 3-of-12 shooting Sunday during a 90-81 home loss to Golden State. Coach Chris Koclanes wasn't happy that Bueckers got just two free throws.

"With all the fouls in the game and all the physicality, for her to only go two times, I don't agree with that," he said. "Something's off there."

Bueckers is averaging 19 points per game and shooting 46.6 percent from the field to go along with 5.2 assists. Arike Ogunbowale is hitting for 15.5 ppg but has sat out the last six games with a knee injury.

While Dallas is simply trying to make it to the season's conclusion, the Sun are finding their best form. They pushed defending champion New York to the limit Monday before Sabrina Ionescu blocked Leila Lacan's tying layup attempt with 2.2 seconds left, handing the Sun an 81-79 road loss.

"We know we're out of playoff contention," veteran center Tina Charles said. "It's just about having pride and just showing up, doing our job. We have a job to do."

The 36-year-old Charles is still punching in and doing her job most nights, averaging a team-high 16.2 points plus 5.9 rebounds. She recently jumped into the top 10 in league history for most games played and won the WNBA's Eastern Conference Player of the Week for the first time in four years on Tuesday.

Dallas is shooting for a season sweep of Connecticut after 109-87 and 86-83 road wins earlier in the season.

--Field Level Media