DALLAS — The Dallas Wings are hosting the Indiana Fever on Friday night at the American Airlines Center. Fever star Caitlin Clark is not playing due to a groin injury. Before the game, Wings rookie Paige Bueckers was asked if she was looking forward to playing against Clark before her injury absence was announced.

“You hope to play against the full team every single time,” Bueckers told reporters.

The WNBA 2025 No. 1 overall pick later added that she wishes no “injury or no sitting out for everybody in the league.”

It goes without saying, but Clark's injury absence is far from ideal for the Fever. Indiana still features enough depth to compete, however. The Wings are dealing with no shortage of injury trouble of their own.

Tyasha Harris is expected to miss the rest of the season with a knee injury. Maddy Siegrist is going to miss a significant amount of time due to a knee issue of her own. DiJonai Carrington is currently dealing with a rib injury. Additionally, Teaira McCowan and Luisa Geiselsoder are participating in EuroBasket at the moment.

Article Continues Below
More Dallas Wings News
Dallas Wings guard Paige Bueckers (5) drives to the basket past Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham (8) during the second quarter at the American Airlines Center.
Wings’ Paige Bueckers makes WNBA history with performance vs. FeverRichard Pereira ·
Dallas Mavericks point guard Kyrie Irving talks with Dallas Wings guard Paige Bueckers (5) after the game against the Indiana Fever at the American Airlines Center.
Wings’ Paige Bueckers reveals how Kyrie Irving inspired ‘unguardable’ motivationJoey Mistretta ·
Cooper Flagg in a Mavericks jersey and Paige Bueckers in a Wings jersey in front. In background, place the Duke basketball and UConn women's basketball logos.
Cooper Flagg responds to Paige Bueckers ‘giving him crap’ over Duke-UConn decisionJoey Mistretta ·
Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark (22) shoots the ball during warmups before the game against the Seattle Storm at Climate Pledge Arena.
Is Caitlin Clark playing tonight? Fever vs. Wings injury reportJoey Mistretta ·
Wings Arike Ogunbowale smiling on left. Cooper Flagg in a Mavericks jersey on right.
Mavericks’ Cooper Flagg luck after Luka Doncic fiasco draws Arike Ogunbowale ‘blessing’ takeJoey Mistretta ·
Wings Paige Bueckers and Fever Caitlin Clark in image. Place a lot of microphones in front of them as if there are a lot of reporters speaking to them. Also place the eyes emoji all over image looking at them.
What Paige Bueckers has learned from Caitlin Clark amid ‘inhumane’ expectationsJoey Mistretta ·

Although they are without five important players, Dallas will remain confident with Arike Ogunbowale and Paige Bueckers leading the way. Friday night's contest projects to be a competitive affair.

Paige Bueckers, Arike Ogunbowale looking to lead Wings to big win

The Fever hold a 7-8 record while the Wings are 4-12 heading into the game on Friday evening. Indiana may have an advantage in that sense, but the Wings are playing in Dallas. And the Fever are an extremely different team without Clark on the floor.

Regardless of the final outcome, the game will likely be exciting.

Tip-off is scheduled for 6:30 PM EST at the American Airlines Center in Dallas as the Wings hope to earn their fifth victory of the 2025 campaign.