The Dallas Wings turned to roster reinforcements again Friday, adding Christyn Williams on an extreme hardship contract and bringing back Amy Okonkwo on a second seven-day hardship agreement, according to Dallas Hoops Journal.
Hardship contracts have become a way of life for Dallas this summer. With injuries piling up, the Wings have had little choice but to cycle in short-term signings just to have enough players to compete.
Williams returns to the WNBA after a winding path back to the league. Drafted 14th overall by Washington in 2022, she missed her rookie year with a knee injury before stops with the Phoenix Mercury and Minnesota Lynx.
This year, Williams competed in Athletes Unlimited, averaging 7.8 points, and later played in the 3×3 Basketball Association alongside current Wings Serena Sundell and Okonkwo. A decorated guard at UConn, Williams won the Ann Meyers Drysdale Award as the nation’s top shooting guard in 2022 and helped the Huskies reach three Final Fours.
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Okonkwo has been a steady contributor since her debut earlier this month. The Dallas-area product has averaged 11.3 points across her first three appearances, shooting nearly 58 percent from the field. Her scoring has climbed in each outing, highlighted by 14 points against Connecticut earlier this week. The former TCU standout has offered Dallas a versatile forward option at a time when stability has been elusive.
Roster moves were needed, as eight Wings players are listed on the injury report entering Friday’s matchup against Atlanta. Rookie guard Paige Bueckers is questionable after missing Wednesday’s game with an illness.
Luisa Geiselsöder suffered a right shoulder injury against the Sun and is sidelined. Aziaha James, who scored 22 points before leaving that same game with an ankle injury, is doubtful, as is Haley Jones with a knee issue.
Four-time All-Star Arike Ogunbowale remains sidelined with right knee tendinitis. Tyasha Harris underwent left knee surgery five games into the season, while JJ Quinerly and Li Yueru both sustained season-ending ACL injuries in August.
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No Dallas player has appeared in all 39 games this season, and the team has already lost more than 100 player games to injury or absence. The reliance on hardship signings has been one of the only ways to keep the season moving forward.
Dallas (9-30) begins a four-game swing on Friday in Atlanta, where the Dream (24-14) has already won two of three meetings this season. The matchup at Gateway Center Arena will be broadcast at 7:30 p.m. ET on ION.
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