Dallas Wings Ruled Out Trio for Playoff Opener
The Dallas Wings will be without three key players as they face the Golden State Valkyries in their WNBA playoff matchup.
Updated on Sept. 28, 2026 in Basketball
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The Dallas Wings have ruled out Alanna Smith, Azzi Fudd, and Costanza Verona for their WNBA playoff game against the Golden State Valkyries. While these players are sidelined, Alysha Clark has returned to the active roster following a facial injury.
Why it matters
The absence of three rotation players forces a significant lineup shift for the No. 7 seeded Wings as they open their playoff run against Golden State. Dallas relies on its depth after finishing the regular season with a 27-17 record.
Alanna Smith averaged 6 points and 17.9 minutes over 32 games, while former No. 1 overall pick Azzi Fudd averaged 13.1 points per game before her injury. The Dallas Wings enter this playoff game against Golden State holding a 27-17 record as the No. 7 seed.
The players
Dallas Wings
This professional basketball team competes in the WNBA and is based in the Arlington area.
Alanna Smith
She is a professional basketball player who has missed five consecutive games due to a lower left leg injury.
Azzi Fudd
She is a former No. 1 WNBA Draft pick who is out for the remainder of the season following knee surgery.
Alysha Clark
She is a veteran player who cleared the injury report and returned to the lineup for the playoff opener.
Golden State Valkyries
This is the opposing professional basketball team that the Wings are facing in the first round of the playoffs.
The details
Alanna Smith is sidelined with a lower left leg injury, and Azzi Fudd will miss the rest of the season to undergo an arthroscopic procedure on her right knee. Costanza Verona is also unavailable for the contest due to personal reasons, though Alysha Clark is officially back in the lineup.
Timeline
August 5, 2026: Azzi Fudd last appeared in a game for the Wings.
September 23, 2026: Alysha Clark missed the team's Wednesday game.
September 27, 2026: The Dallas Wings ended their regular season.
September 27, 2026: Dallas defeated the Seattle Storm to reach the playoffs.
September 27, 2026: Game 1 of the WNBA playoffs against the Valkyries occurred.
Season Trajectory
These roster changes alter the rotation depth for the Wings as they enter a high-stakes postseason bracket. Success against the Golden State Valkyries is critical for the team to advance beyond their current position as the No. 7 seed.
The return of Alysha Clark provides a necessary boost to the rotation, but the absence of Alanna Smith and Azzi Fudd reduces the scoring options available for head coach adjustments. Fantasy managers and fans should adjust expectations for Dallas' offensive output given the loss of Fudd's 13.1 points per game.
The takeaway
Injuries during the postseason frequently force teams to rely on deep-bench players to fill production gaps. Monitoring medical reports remains essential for understanding how a team's win-loss probability shifts as the playoff schedule progresses.
Further reading
For more news on the team's postseason run, visit Basketball.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Hindustan Times.
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