The injury bug has hit the Dallas Wings (1-0) hard to start the regular season. Dallas already knew heading into the season they would be without All-Star Satou Sabally until August, but their luck turned more sour after Wednesday’s game.
A foot injury to Natasha Howard and a nasal procedure for Jaelyn Brown left the Wings with just eight healthy players from their Opening Day roster — a roster they set just four days ago.
With the injuries mounting, Dallas announced a hardship contract signing, Monique Billings, as Howard recovers from her broken foot. Howard is expected to miss 3-6 weeks, while Brown is expected to miss a week.
“It’s just part of the process,” head coach Latricia Trammell said after Friday’s practice. “Having Sa[tou] out, Jaelyn out, now Howard out. What a great opportunity for our young ones that haven’t played a long time to actually get on the floor. So, we’re going to continue to make a few adjustments and try to give everyone a run for their money.”
Billings, a six-year WNBA veteran who averaged 4.8 points and 5.0 rebounds last year in 39 games with the Atlanta Dream, will join the team late Friday night, Trammell said, and will be available for Saturday’s game against the Chicago Sky, pending her medical clearance.
