Fresh off a huge upset win over the New York Liberty, the Dallas Wings are feeling good. But their next game on Wednesday is no walk in the park. They’re up against the Atlanta Dream, who roll out a monster frontcourt with 6’9″ Brittney Griner and 6’3″ Brionna Jones.
With so much coming for them and a struggling offense in the last ten games, coach Chris Koclanes has a big decision to make. Having ranked 11th in the league, a little shake-up to the roster could turn things around. If only they come up with better alternatives at least.
Dallas Wings In The Mix Over Lineup Decision Before Atlanta Dream Game
The Wings are among the tailenders of the league. In their last game, the Wings went small. They started Haley Jones next to Luisa Geiselsoder instead of their usual center, Li Yueru, since New York was missing Breanna Stewart. That choice paid off, with Jones’ recent hot streak bringing energy and playmaking to the floor.
But Atlanta’s a different beast, with Griner and Jones ready to dominate the paint. Koclanes’ lineup pick could be the key to whether Dallas starts strong or gets stuck climbing out of a hole against a tough 15-11 Dream team.
Here’s the full quote last night from Coach Koclanes on what he liked about starting Haley Jones and whether the change will be permanent or matchup dependent. https://t.co/48bxMaIhWR pic.twitter.com/0aO8wbea2c
— Jah (@JahlilWill) July 29, 2025
Additionally, Atlanta’s frontcourt is a problem. Griner and Jones are rebounding machines, and if they start snagging offensive boards, it’s going to be a long night for Dallas. Against the Liberty, the Wings got away with a smaller lineup because New York didn’t have Stewart’s size. They grabbed boards and kicked off fast breaks with ease.
But if Griner and Jones are left unchecked, they’ll eat up second-chance points like it’s nothing, leaving the Wings frustrated and prone to mistakes. Bringing back 6’7″ Li Yueru to the starting lineup might be the smarter play. She’s not as quick as Jones, but she can hold her own against Griner, boxing her out and maybe even getting her into foul trouble.
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What Should Be Dallas Wings’ Plan Against Atlanta Dream?
While the approach could not be a give-and-take situation, the Dallas Wings would need a perfect plan for the matchup. In an ideal case, Yueru could be a sensible choice. She’s been putting in serious work on her post moves, which could give Atlanta’s bigs a run for their money.
Pairing her with Geiselsoder could shore up the paint, but it might slow down Dallas’ fast-paced vibe. It could be a tricky trade-off, especially since their offense has been hit-or-miss this season.
Sticking with Jones and Geiselsoder (6’4″) keeps things fast and scrappy, but it risks getting bullied inside by Atlanta’s giants. The Dream could pile up points in the paint early if Dallas doesn’t match their size. With the Wings’ defense already shaky (11th in the league at 107.1 defensive rating), Koclanes can’t afford to gamble on a small lineup that might not keep up.
Going with Yueru gives Dallas a fighting chance to control the boards and set the tone. After their big win over New York, the Wings have a shot to keep the good times rolling, but only if they make the right call against Atlanta’s towering frontcourt. This lineup decision could be the difference between a statement win and a miserable loss.
Also Read: New York Liberty Holds Urgent Team Meeting After Shocking Loss To Dallas Wings