Dallas Wings rookie guard Aziaha James is nearing a return from a right ankle injury, while fellow guard Christyn Williams has completed her hardship stint with the team, providing both relief and uncertainty for a backcourt hit hard by injuries.
Initially listed as doubtful, the first-round pick is expected to return later this week when Dallas faces the Golden State Valkyries on Thursday and the Los Angeles Sparks on Sunday, according to Dallas Hoops Journal.
James took part in the Wings’ shootaround on Monday at Target Center before being downgraded to out for the game against the Minnesota Lynx, marking her second consecutive absence.
Her last full performance came in a loss to the Connecticut Sun, when she scored 22 points and had six assists before exiting late in the fourth quarter. A return would help stabilize a guard rotation that has been stretched thin for weeks.
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James, the No. 12 overall pick in the 2025 WNBA Draft, has averaged 7.4 points, 2.8 rebounds, and 1.6 assists in 35 games this season.
James’ progression comes at a time when the Wings have been dealt frequent bad news on the injury front. Monday’s game marked the 31st time this season the Wings played with 10 or fewer available players. With seven players sidelined, the team’s total climbed to 121 games missed due to in-season injuries or overseas commitments. Dallas dressed only eight players, including three hardship signings, for the sixth time this season — the league minimum required to compete.
Arike Ogunbowale remains sidelined indefinitely with right knee tendinitis. JJ Quinerly is out for the season with an ACL sprain, and Tyasha Harris underwent left knee surgery earlier this year. With those absences, Dallas has leaned heavily on hardship signings to maintain depth. In terms of frontcourt injuries, Li Yueru (ACL sprain) and Luisa Geiselsöder (left shoulder) are both out for the season, while Haley Jones (right knee) has missed two straight games.
Williams, a former UConn standout, completed her hardship contract Monday after signing to help the Wings meet the WNBA’s minimum requirement of eight active players. She made her league debut last week, reuniting with ex-teammate Paige Bueckers. While her deal expired, she remains under consideration to rejoin the roster before the season ends, Dallas Hoops Journal reported.
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The Wings have also turned to guard Serena Sundell, who is currently on her second seven-day hardship contract and continues to bolster the backcourt rotation.
Dallas (9-32) continues its road trip Thursday against the Valkyries at Chase Center, with tipoff scheduled for 9 p.m. Central time. On Sunday, it will face the Sparks in Los Angeles.
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