Arike Ogunbowale remained a game-time decision for the Dallas Wings on Thursday because of an illness, and Alanna Smith was ruled out — opening a starting spot that Maddy Siegrist will fill when Dallas visits the Las Vegas Aces at College Park Center with tip scheduled for 7 p.m. CT on Prime.
Siegrist drew the start in place of Smith, who had started all seven games for Dallas this season before being ruled out and had been anchoring the frontcourt at the five. Smith had been averaging 3.7 points, 3.4 rebounds and 2.0 assists in 17.4 minutes per game and, according to coach Jose Fernandez, had even been playing through a mask because of a medical issue.
Across seven appearances this season, Siegrist has averaged 6.1 points, 2.0 rebounds and 0.7 assists in 13.1 minutes while shooting 45.0 percent from the field. Her top outing came on May 14 against the Minnesota Lynx, when she scored 17 points on 7-of-11 shooting in 16 minutes — a reminder of what Dallas can ask of her if minutes expand.
Siegrist said her focus coming into the start is simple: be ready for whatever role the game demands and keep building confidence through daily preparation. She described taking extra shots after practice and using consistent work to grow more comfortable in games, while emphasizing the need to battle the Aces on the glass and make their frontcourt work for every possession.
Dallas will also start Azzi Fudd regardless of Ogunbowale’s status, and Paige Bueckers — listed as probable with a left leg designation — was expected to play on Thursday. Those pieces, plus Siegrist, give coach Dawn Staley’s successor some lineup options even if Ogunbowale cannot go.
Teammate Jessica Shepard said Smith’s absence will be felt, noting Smith’s defensive pedigree as Co-Defensive Player of the Year last season, but Shepard added that the team expects multiple players to step up rather than pressuring a single replacement. Fernandez urged perspective on Smith’s situation, saying the team signed her for a reason and that she deserves some grace as she manages performance and health while facing one of the league’s toughest defensive assignments.
The matchup presents a stark challenge: Las Vegas brings a frontcourt led by A’ja Wilson and NaLyssa Smith, a group Shepard called among the league’s strongest. Las Vegas also holds a 46-36 edge in the all-time series entering the game, a ledger that adds urgency to Dallas’s lineup adjustments.
The immediate question for Dallas is operational: can Siegrist and the Wings collectively make up for Smith’s minutes and limit the Aces’ interior damage if Ogunbowale is unavailable or limited? Dallas appears to be leaning on depth rather than one replacement, and Siegrist’s efficiency and that May 14 scoring burst give coach and teammates reason to believe she can contribute in increased minutes.
Thursday’s game will answer how well that plan holds up against a heavy, experienced Las Vegas frontcourt and whether Ogunbowale’s status — a late decision because of illness — changes the Wings’ approach. Whatever happens at tip, the burden of adaptation falls to the players on the floor: Siegrist’s readiness, Fudd’s starts and Bueckers’s availability will determine whether Dallas can blunt the Aces or bend until a healthy Ogunbowale and Smith return to steady the rotation.
