19
May
Aussies in the WNBA
Smith's offensive woes masking 2-2 Wings impact
Dallas Wings forward Alanna Smith passes out of traffic against the Washington Mystics during Dallas’ 92-69 win at College Park Center in Arlington, Texas, on May 18, 2026. Photo: Michael Gonzales/NBAE via Getty Images
Alanna Smith’s slow offensive start has Dallas Wings fans questioning her $1.25M contract.
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Australian star Alanna Smith's USD $1.25M per season core contract is already under scrutiny by hardcore Dallas Wings fans after her slow offensive start to the 2026 WNBA season.
The Wings are 2-2 with Smith averaging 4.7 points (30%), 4.3 rebounds, 3.3 assists, 1.0 blocks and 1.3 steals per game in her first four games.
The 29-year-old Australian Opals centre is adjusting to her new team and played just seven minutes against Georgia Amoore's Washington Mystics today after picking up four fouls in the first half.
Smith, who wore a face mask against the Mystics, career averages are 7.3 points, 4.6 rebounds, 2.0 assists, a steal and 1.2 blocks.
Dallas Wings 92 def. Washington Mystics 69 (Final)
College Park Center – Arlington, Texas
Paige Bueckers scored 18 points and handed out seven assists as Dallas pulled away with a dominant second half to beat Washington by 23 points.
The Wings broke the game open with a 28-point third quarter after leading by nine at halftime, finishing with 30 assists on 33 made field goals while shooting 11-from-24 from three-point range.
Australian Opals forward Alanna Smith was limited to seven first-half minutes after picking up four fouls before halftime. She finished with three points, one rebound, one assist and two steals.
Washington struggled offensively throughout the night after scoring just nine points in the opening quarter and committing 18 turnovers.
Australian rookie Georgia Amoore had three points and three assists in 24 minutes, shooting one-from-six from the field, while fellow Australian Alex Wilson scored two points in eight minutes off the bench.
Jessica Shepard finished with 12 points, 16 rebounds and six assists for Dallas, while Arike Ogunbowale added 16 points and three steals.
By the Numbers
- Dallas outscored Washington 54-40 in the second half
- The Wings shot 11-from-24 from three-point range
- Paige Bueckers finished +21 in 33 minutes
- Georgia Amoore had three assists and two turnovers
- Jessica Shepard grabbed 16 rebounds for Dallas
Australians
- Alanna Smith (Dallas) – 3 points, 1 rebound, 1 assist, 2 steals in 7 minutes
- Georgia Amoore (Washington) – 3 points, 3 assists in 24 minutes
- Alex Wilson (Washington) – 2 points in 8 minutes
Portland Fire 83 def. Connecticut Sun 82
Moda Center – Portland, Oregon
Halftime: Connecticut 42-38
Sug Sutton hit the go-ahead floater with 22.6 seconds remaining as Portland edged Connecticut in a one-point finish to move back to .500.
The Fire recovered from a slow second quarter and outscored the Sun 45-40 after halftime, surviving a late three-pointer from Charlisse Leger-Walker with 1.9 seconds left.
Australian forward Nyadiew Puoch continued her strong start to the WNBA season with 10 points and four rebounds in 21 minutes for Portland, shooting 4-from-8 from the field.
Bridget Carleton and Sarah Ashlee Barker each scored 18 points for Portland, while Emily Engstler added 15 points and two steals.
Connecticut dropped to 0-5 despite 16 points from Brittney Griner, while rookies Hailey Van Lith and Aneesah Morrow each scored 12.
The Sun shot 51% from the field but hurt themselves at the free-throw line, finishing 11-from-20.
Top Performers
- Bridget Carleton (Portland) – 18 points, 5 rebounds, 3 steals
- Sarah Ashlee Barker (Portland) – 18 points, 4 rebounds
- Emily Engstler (Portland) – 15 points, 3 rebounds
- Brittney Griner (Connecticut) – 16 points, 5 rebounds, 4 assists
Australians: Nyadiew Puoch (Portland) – 10 points, 4 rebounds in 21 minutes
