For the first time in five years, Arike Ogunbowale has not been designated as a WNBA All-Star. It is something that speaks to the sheer number of emerging talents around The W -- as well as Ogunbowale's down season with the Dallas Wings.
In 18 games this year, Ogunbowale is averaging a career-low 16.8 points on career-worst 36 percent shooting. Once the Wings' undisputed star player, Ogunbowale's on-court fit with new acquisitions Paige Bueckers and DiJonai Carrington has not always been seamless; Dallas struggled out of the gate in 2025, with 11 losses from the opening 12 games.
But the Wings have improved lately. Dallas owns a 5-4 record in its past nine games, and the Wings have escaped the league's cellar as Bueckers has taken on an expanded role. This is because the Wings have been without Carrington and Ogunbowale each for the past three games; it has been up to Bueckers to lead a rookie-heavy lineup.
MORE: Wings' Paige Bueckers prompts concern amid unusual rookie workload
Ogunbowale's absence has been due to a thumb injury, but Bueckers and the Wings received positive news on that front Friday. Ogunbowale practiced and, according to general manager Curt Miller, she is probable to play Sunday, when Dallas visits Caitlin Clark and the reeling Indiana Fever.
Arike Ogunbowale (thumb) probable for Sunday, per GM Miller.
— Underdog WNBA (@UnderdogWNBA) July 11, 2025
Carrington, who has missed the past seven games with a rib injury, also practiced Friday as the Wings get closer to full health. Recent games have seen Dallas play with the WNBA-minimum of eight players, giving Miller head coach Chris Koclanes a chance to see what the rookie class of Bueckers, Aziaha James and JJ Quinerly can offer as the Wings continue to build for the future.
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