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With an abysmal two wins in their last 19 games, the Dallas Wings are having a disappointing 2024 season as we enter the All-Star and Olympic break.

As a team, injuries have certainly been a contributing factor, with key players like Satou Sabally out all season with a shoulder injury. Wings coach Latricia Trammell has stated that Sabally “probably won’t be back until after the Olympics,” so Dallas will be waiting with bated breath to see if she can return and help the franchise sneak into the playoffs or if it’s just going to be a disappointing season from start to finish for the Wings.

Not everything is grim in Dallas. Select players are having productive seasons and, given that we are at the halfway mark, let’s give out team awards. We undertook the same process with the Los Angeles Sparks, and now it’s time to see who the best players have been on the Wings:

MVP: Arike Ogunbowale

One thing that has remained consistent for the Dallas Wings in 2024 is Arike Ogunbowale’s production. She’s a one-woman offense able to hit tough basket after tough basket. She has the speed to attack the rim, the range to shoot from deep and the power to rise up and score over even the toughest defenders.

Averaging 22.2 points, 4.7 rebounds and 5.7 assists per game, Ogunbowale always has an opportunity, even on this struggling team, to take over and beat the best. The path toward a successful 2024 may be difficult for Dallas, but Ogunbowale will be a big part of a potential turnaround.

DPOY: Arike Ogunbowale

The Wings are one of the weaker defensive teams, but when I look at who makes the most impact on that side of the court, I return to the team’s MVP: Ogunbowale.

She’s a strong perimeter defender, and her aggression is often rewarded. Ogunbowale averages 2.7 steals per game, which leads the entire WNBA.

Sixth POY: Monique Billings

With so many injuries and many starting lineup changes, it’s hard to pin down who a bona fide bench player is. When looking up and down the roster, Monique Billings has consistently been coming off the bench and giving the Wings quality minutes.

The forward is averaging 9.0 points, 6.7 rebounds and 2.0 assists per game, giving the team some offensive help and cleaning up the glass.

Billings has started in nearly half of the games she’s played in, but has recently been slotted as a bench player, and that role feels right, given the roster construction. When Sabally returns, the lineup will undoubtedly change once again, but for now, Billings is the best the Wings bench has to offer.

MIP: Maddy Siegrist

Siegrist has only played in 13 games this year, but she’s certainly taken a leap in minutes played and production from 2023. She is currently averaging 14.6 points, 4.2 rebounds and 1.2 assists per game.

A broken finger has halted her season, but with Siegrist undergoing surgery and a month’s break thanks to the Olympics, perhaps she can return and continue adding to her career year.

Peak Performers

This category highlights the leaders in key statistical categories. No opinion, just stats.

• Scoring: Arike Ogunbowale, 22.2 points per game
• Rebounding: Teaira McCowan, 7.4 rebounds per game
• Assists: Arike Ogunbowale, 5.1 assists per game

This season has been disappointing for the Wings so far, but it’s a little over halfway done, so while the road ahead is tough, there is still a path to travel.

If Sabally returns and the team uses this break to recharge, they can hit the ground running and still make a push toward playoff contention in 2024. It will come down to health and luck for that to happen. Still, they have some key stars on the roster, so until it’s mathematically impossible, it’s still possible, even if improbable.