Dallas, August 21, 2025
News Summary
Dallas Wings center Li Yueru has been ruled out for the remainder of the WNBA season following a sprained ACL in her left knee. The injury occurred during a close game against the Los Angeles Sparks, creating a significant gap in the Wings’ lineup as they strive for playoff contention. With star guard Arike Ogunbowale also sidelined, the team faces challenges in their performance and strategy moving forward, despite the promising talent of rookie Paige Bueckers.
Dallas
Dallas Wings center Li Yueru has been ruled out for the remainder of the WNBA season after suffering a sprained anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in her left knee during a game against the Los Angeles Sparks last week. The team announced the injury on Tuesday, confirming that the 26-year-old center from China will not return this season, creating a notable gap in the Wings’ frontcourt rotation and further complicating the club’s playoff hopes.
Key details
Li sustained the injury during a closely contested matchup that ended in a 97-96 loss to the Sparks on Friday. This season marked her third year in the WNBA, and she entered the year splitting time between the Seattle Storm and the Dallas Wings after being traded to Dallas in June 2025. Over the course of the season, Li averaged 7.4 points and 5.8 rebounds per game.
The Wings are already managing multiple roster setbacks. High-scoring guard Arike Ogunbowale remains sidelined with a right knee condition diagnosed as tendinitis and will be re-evaluated in the coming weeks. Ogunbowale, who earned recognition as the 2024 All-Star Game Most Valuable Player, has been unable to consistently contribute while recovering. The combination of Li’s season-ending ACL sprain and Ogunbowale’s ongoing knee trouble presents significant challenges to Dallas’ rotation and scoring options.
Standings and season outlook
As of Tuesday, the Wings held the third-worst record in the league. This season follows a previous year of struggles for the franchise, marking a second consecutive disappointing run. The Wings selected guard Paige Bueckers with the No. 1 overall pick in the spring draft; Bueckers has performed strongly and is widely regarded as the front-runner for WNBA Rookie of the Year honors. Despite Bueckers’ promising play, the team’s ability to climb the standings has been hindered by injuries to key contributors.
Impact on team strategy
Li’s absence removes a size option in the middle for the Wings and reduces their depth on the glass and in paint scoring. Her averages of 7.4 points and 5.8 rebounds reflected a role-player profile who provided interior defense and second-chance possessions. With Li out, Dallas will need to rely more on remaining frontcourt players, potential lineup adjustments, and bench cohesion to cover minutes and rebounding duties.
Ogunbowale’s tendinitis further pressures the backcourt, either by limiting lineup combinations that feature two primary scorers or by forcing increased minutes for less experienced guards. Management decisions in the coming weeks may include evaluating short-term signings, internal player development, or strategic lineup changes to address both scoring and defensive needs.
Background and context
The Wings have undergone notable roster changes this season, including the June 2025 trade that brought Li to Dallas from Seattle. The team entered the season with high hopes after acquiring the top draft pick and adding talent expected to help rebuild. However, injuries and inconsistent results have kept Dallas near the bottom of the standings.
Li Yueru, 26, came to the WNBA after a professional career that included international play. Her move to Dallas was part of a midseason effort to bolster frontcourt depth. The sprained ACL will require a recovery timeline that in most cases extends well beyond the current season, emphasizing that Li’s absence will likely be felt into the offseason and potentially into next year’s preparation.
The Wings organization now faces a stretch run where both short-term roster management and longer-term player recovery plans will shape team decisions. With the regular season progressing, the club will need to balance immediate competitive needs against careful handling of injured players’ rehabilitation.
FAQ
Q: What injury did Li Yueru suffer?
A: Li Yueru sprained the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in her left knee and has been ruled out for the remainder of the season.
Q: When and where did the injury occur?
A: The injury occurred during a game against the Los Angeles Sparks last week, in a 97-96 loss on Friday. The team announced the injury on Tuesday.
Q: How has Li performed this season?
A: In her third WNBA season, split between the Seattle Storm and Dallas Wings, Li averaged 7.4 points and 5.8 rebounds per game.
Q: What other injuries are affecting the Wings?
A: Guard Arike Ogunbowale is sidelined with right knee tendinitis and will be re-evaluated in the coming weeks.
Q: How are the Wings performing this season?
A: As of Tuesday, the Wings had the third-worst record in the league and are experiencing their second consecutive season of struggles.
Q: What roster moves did the Wings make this year?
A: The Wings used the No. 1 overall pick in the spring draft to select Paige Bueckers, who is viewed as a leading candidate for Rookie of the Year. Li was traded to Dallas in June 2025.
Team and Player Snapshot
| Feature | Value | Visual |
|---|---|---|
| Li Yueru – Points Per Game | 7.4 PPG |
|
| Li Yueru – Rebounds Per Game | 5.8 RPG |
|
| League Standing (as of Tuesday) | 3rd-worst record |
|
| Number of key injured players | 2 (Li Yueru, Arike Ogunbowale) |
|
| Top Draft Pick | Paige Bueckers (No. 1 overall) |
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Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Additional Resources
- Spectrum Local News
- Wikipedia: 2025 WNBA Season
- Killeen Daily Herald
- Google Search: Li Yueru knee injury
- SSB Crack
- Encyclopedia Britannica: WNBA
Author: STAFF HERE DALLAS WRITER
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