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Wings vs Storm injury news delivered a major blow to both teams before their regular-season finale in Seattle on Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2026. Dallas entered the matchup at 26-17 and looking to recover from a narrow loss to the Phoenix Mercury, while Seattle carried an 8-35 record after falling to the Las Vegas Aces.
The game had significance for both sides, although the stakes were different. Dallas was focused on finishing the regular season strongly and protecting its playoff position. Seattle, meanwhile, aimed to close a difficult campaign with a victory in front of its home fans.
Wings vs Storm Injury Report Reveals Critical Absences
The Dallas Wings listed four players on their game status report, with several unavailable for the contest. Alysha Clark was ruled out after suffering a facial injury during Monday’s loss to Phoenix. The absence ended her run of consecutive appearances dating back to Aug. 9.
Alanna Smith was also ruled out and missed her third straight game with a lower left leg injury. The team had not provided a timetable for her return, leaving Dallas without another important contributor in its frontcourt rotation.
- Alysha Clark: Out with a facial injury
- Alanna Smith: Out with a lower left leg injury
- Azzi Fudd: Out and not with the team after knee surgery
- Costanza Verona: Out for personal reasons
Fudd was expected to miss the remainder of the season while recovering from knee surgery. Verona was unavailable for personal reasons, further reducing the options available to Dallas head coach and staff for the final game of the regular season.
Paige Bueckers Leads Dallas Into Final Regular-Season Test
Despite the injury concerns, the Wings had plenty of momentum from the individual performances of their leading players. Paige Bueckers produced 30 points, five rebounds and seven assists against Phoenix, continuing a strong second season in the WNBA.
Jessica Shepard also delivered an impressive all-around performance in that game, recording 17 points, 19 rebounds and six assists. Dallas needed both players to maintain their production against Seattle, particularly with Clark and Smith unavailable.
Bueckers’ scoring and playmaking have been central to the Wings’ turnaround. Dallas entered the final contest far ahead of last season’s 10-34 record and was competing for a postseason berth. The team’s depth was tested at a crucial point, with playoff seeding still an important factor.
Seattle Storm Also Missing Three Key Players
The Seattle Storm faced their own significant roster challenges. The team ruled out Zia Cooke, Ezi Magbegor and Katie Lou Samuelson, with all three players listed as out for the remainder of the season.
- Zia Cooke: Out for the remainder of the season
- Ezi Magbegor: Out for the remainder of the season
- Katie Lou Samuelson: Out for the remainder of the season
The absences left Seattle without several familiar pieces as the Storm attempted to end a disappointing campaign on a positive note. The team entered the matchup with one of the league’s weakest records and was already eliminated from playoff contention.
Seattle’s recent loss to Las Vegas featured strong performances from Flau’jae Johnson and Dominique Malonga. Johnson finished with 29 points, six rebounds, six assists and four steals, while Malonga recorded 25 points and eight rebounds. Their performances offered optimism for Seattle’s young core despite the challenging season.
What the Injury News Means for Wings vs Storm
The injury report significantly affected the complexion of the matchup. Dallas had more to play for in terms of postseason positioning, but the missing players placed additional pressure on Bueckers, Shepard and the rest of the Wings’ rotation.
Seattle’s long-term absences created a similar challenge, although the Storm could use the finale to evaluate younger players and build confidence heading into the offseason. With both teams short-handed, bench production and defensive execution were expected to play decisive roles.
The Wings and Storm matchup was scheduled for 10 p.m. Eastern Time at Climate Pledge Arena and was available to viewers on USA Network, according to the game information provided by Athlon Sports.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was ruled out for the Dallas Wings?
Alysha Clark, Alanna Smith, Azzi Fudd and Costanza Verona were unavailable for Dallas. Clark had a facial injury, Smith was dealing with a lower left leg injury, Fudd was recovering from knee surgery and Verona was out for personal reasons.
Which Seattle Storm players were unavailable?
Zia Cooke, Ezi Magbegor and Katie Lou Samuelson were ruled out for Seattle. Each player was listed as unavailable for the remainder of the season.
What was Paige Bueckers’ recent performance?
Bueckers recorded 30 points, five rebounds and seven assists in Dallas’ loss to the Phoenix Mercury on Monday.
When and where was the Wings vs Storm game scheduled?
The matchup was scheduled for Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2026, at Climate Pledge Arena in Seattle. Tipoff was set for 10 p.m. Eastern Time.
