Paige Bueckers' Wings could be a playoff dark horse for this reason

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Paige Bueckers' Wings could be a playoff dark horse for this reason originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

The Dallas Wings' 2026 season already is a success.

But it could end up being better than anyone imagined.

Paige Bueckers and the Wings are fourth in the WNBA standings with a 14-8 record. Dallas secured an impressive road win against the New York Liberty on Tuesday, and the Wings have a top-five offense in head coach Jose Fernandez's first year on the job.

All of this has warranted an "A-minus" midseason grade from CBS Sports' Jack Maloney.

MORE: WNBA MVP Ladder: Where A'ja Wilson, Olivia Miles and Caitlin Clark rank at midpoint of 2026 season

But Dallas' defense will determine whether the Wings are just a good regular-season team or whether they are something more.

The Wings looked rough defensively when the season began; Dallas posted a 107.3 defensive rating in May. But that number has decreased in June and July. In three games this month, the Wings are allowing 99.6 points per 100 possessions and boast a 17.7 opponent turnover rate.

Not coincidentally, the Wings are 3-0 to begin July.

For the season, Dallas ranks sixth in defensive rating and fifth in net rating. Combined with an offense that features All-Stars in Bueckers and Jessica Shepard -- plus Azzi Fudd and Arike Ogunbowale -- the Wings are rounding into form.

And if the defense continues to improve, absolutely no one will want to see Dallas in the playoffs.

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