WNBA: Paige Bueckers is back, but the Wings still have big problems

The Minnesota Lynx can tighten their grip on the top spot in the Western Conference’s Commissioner’s Cup standings on Sunday afternoon when they travel to Dallas to face the Wings for a third time this season.

Before that, the Washington Mystics and Connecticut Sun meet in an Eastern Conference Cup game that, due to Washington’s 0-2 Cup record and Connecticut’s -40 point differential, likely has little relevance to the outcome of the in-season competition. Nevertheless, the contest can still provide more data about the directions of these retooling teams.

Sun-Mystics tips off at 3 p.m. ET, with Lynx vs. Wings following at 4 p.m. ET. Both games are available through WNBA League Pass.

Can Mystics start to get more from Dolson, Austin and Edwards against Sun?

Just when we doubt the Sun, they come through, determined to prove that this will not be a totally lost season, as a 34-point outburst from Marina Mabrey spurred the Sun to a defeat of the previously surging Atlanta Dream, 84-76.

And yet, we’re going to doubt them again. The Sun, with a still-mismatched roster and ill-fitting strategies, seemingly are dependent on a Mabrey heater to find the win column.

The Mystics, despite having lost three-straight games, have an intentional, if imperfect, identity that can more sustainably produce competitive basketball and, hopefully, wins. The two teams played on May 18, when the Sun sacrificed an early 15-point lead on their way to an eventual 15-point loss. As has been the case for the Mystics throughout the season, the trio of Brittney Sykes, Kiki Iriafen and Sonia Citron led the way, combining for 59 of Washington’s 90 points. And as Beckett Harrison recently emphasized, we’re not going to stop talking about the two rookies. Iriafen continues to do her best A’ja Wilson impersonation, while Citron is the steadiest “Steady Betty” of them all.

That said, to not only ensure a win over Connecticut, but also to situate themselves for a few more wins over the course of the season, Washington likely needs improved play from their incumbent frontcourt players.

Stef Dolson, one of the best 3-point shooters in the W last season, has yet to find her stroke from behind the arc, even though her credible ability to space the floor as a stretch 5 makes things easier for Iriafen around the basket. Shakira Austin, whose minutes appear to be limited because of her persistent injury troubles, has had flashes of excellence among some inconsistency. Aaliyah Edwards, who was sidelined with a back injury to start the season, has yet to find her groove as she has likewise seen limited minutes. Figuring out more defined roles and rotations for the this talented trio can take the Mystics from a “cute story” that will be competitive in most games to a team that can truly threaten for a playoff berth, regardless of the organization’s expectations entering the season.

Does defensively deficient Dallas have a chance against Minnesota?

Will the third time be a charm for the Wings?

It might take some sort of charmed, ethereal powers for Dallas to defeat Minnesota, even if the Wings lost by only four points in the second matchup between the two teams. The first game, the season opener for both squads, was a 15-point Lynx win.

Paige Bueckers is probable to return for the Wings, having missed her team’s three previous games while in concussion protocol. Thus far, the rookie has struggled against her homestate squad, shooting no better than 30 percent from the field in the two previous matchups against the Lynx, who own the third-best defense in the WNBA.

The Wings problems, of course, exceed their No. 1 pick’s up-and-down shooting percentages. It’s something first-year head coach Chris Koclanes recognizes, describing the performance of his team and staff as “poor” and noting the trouble they’re having putting their players in positions to succeed.

However, while Koclanes detailed some of the offensive issues encountered by Myisha Hines-Allen and DiJonai Carrington, the Wings have been average on that side of the ball, scoring 83.4 points per game, which ranks fifth in the league, and registering an offensive rating of 102.5, which is sixth.

The offense may be uninspiring, but it’s adequate. It’s the defense that’s dooming Dallas. Most illustratively, the Chicago Sky, a team that twice has failed to score 60 points in games, rang up 94 and 97 points in back-to-back games against the Wings. Opponents are shooting well from the field, cashing in from behind the arc and feasting on free throws, as Dallas ranks in the bottom three of the league in all three categories. Transition defense is also a disaster, with the Wings relenting a league-worst 14.1 fastbreak points per game. No, the Wings are not optimizing the offensive talents of their players, but if they don’t fix the defense, that doesn’t matter.

Unsurprisingly, defensively deficient Dallas has had nothing for Napheesa Collier in the two prior games between these teams. The leading MVPhee candidate has averaged 31 points across the two games, going a perfect 20-for-20 from the free throw line along the way. Expect Sunday afternoon to become another exhibition of Collier’s excellence.

Game information

Connecticut Sun (2-6; 1-1 CC) vs. Washington Mystics (3-6; 0-2 CC)

When: Sunday, June 8 at 3 p.m. ET

Where: CareFirst Arena in Washington, DC

How to watch: WNBA League Pass

Minnesota Lynx (8-0; 2-0 CC) vs. Dallas Wings (1-8; 0-2 CC)

When: Sunday, June 8 at 4 p.m. ET

Where: College Park Center in Arlington, TX

How to watch: WNBA League Pass