After a demoralizing loss to the A’ja Wilson-less Las Vegas Aces, the Dallas Wings were embroiled in controversy on the interwebs.
For the first time this season, Wings coach Chris Koclanes was missing from the postgame interview with reporters. Dallas normally conducts such interviews with two players and its head coach, but has deviated from the status quo several times in the past.
As soon as it was announced that Koclanes would be joining separately, conspiracy theories were rampant about the timing of his absence. However, there was a simple explanation for those who wanted it instead of pure speculation.
For the last several seasons, the Wings have hosted a mentor trip where impactful figures in the lives of team personnel join the organization for a game and other activities. Wings players had several family members and mentors in attendance. Center Luisa Geiselsöder’s mother flew from Germany, forward Maddy Siegrist’s coach from Villanova, and star guard Arike Ogunbowale’s mother were also there.
According to a source familiar with the situation, Koclanes was still in the midst of a postgame huddle with his staff when the press conference began. To maximize the time players had with their families, a decision was made to start postgame interviews without Koclanes next to Ogunbowale and Geiselsöder.
The Dallas Wings are off to the worst start to a season since 2012, when the franchise was known as the Tulsa Shock.
The Wings had a chance to get their second win of the season, yet faltered down the stretch. They started the second half with an 18-0 run and outscored Las Vegas in the third quarter, 30-15. They led by 11 with four minutes left in the game, but surrendered a 17-2 run and let the Aces net 10 points from the free-throw line exclusively.
Dallas has its fair share of problems, but narrowing in on those instead of creating false ones should be the primary objective.