Alanna Smith’s status for the Dallas Wings’ season opener is in doubt after the free agency pickup was bloodied in a preseason game Sunday at Moody Center and did not practice Thursday.
Smith was caught with an elbow by A'ja Wilson, and the injury left her face bloodied in the preseason game. On Thursday, Wings coach Jose Fernandez said Smith is “on schedule” as she works back from the facial injury, but he would not commit to her playing Saturday against the Indiana Fever.
That leaves the Wings waiting on one of their biggest offseason additions as the calendar turns to opening night. Smith was a key free agency pickup for Dallas, and her presence matters because Wilson shared the Defensive Player of the Year award with Smith last season.
The concern now is simple: whether Smith can recover enough in time for Saturday. Fernandez offered some optimism, but he stopped short of saying she will be available, and the team has only until then to decide how much it can count on her.
