Arlington, TX (Aug. 19, 2025) – The Dallas Wings received difficult news Tuesday as the team announced that center Li Yueru will miss the remainder of the 2025 WNBA season after sustaining an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) sprain in her left knee. The injury occurred during the Wings’ matchup against the Los Angeles Sparks on August 15.
The organization confirmed that while the injury ends her season, Li is expected to make a full recovery. Additional medical updates will be shared as her rehabilitation progresses.
A Rising Force Sidelined
Yueru, in her second stint with Dallas, has been a vital piece of the team’s frontcourt depth. Standing at 6-foot-7, she provided size, rebounding, and interior scoring that helped stabilize the Wings’ rotation during a challenging season. Prior to the injury, she had been gaining momentum, notching her career-high in scoring earlier this month and showcasing improved chemistry with her teammates.
Her presence in the paint gave Dallas a reliable rim protector and a physical rebounder, areas where the team will now need to adjust. The timing of the setback is especially difficult, with the Wings pushing through the final stretch of the regular season while battling injuries to other key players.
Impact on the Dallas Wings
The Wings, currently fighting to establish consistency under first-year head coach Chris Koclanes, will have to turn to Myisha Hines-Allen, Luisa Geiselsöder, and rookie rotation pieces to fill the void left by Yueru. With star guard Arike Ogunbowale and forward Ty Harris also dealing with injuries, Dallas faces the challenge of reshaping its lineup and relying more heavily on younger contributors.
Maddy Siegrist, who has emerged as one of the team’s most consistent scorers, and Paige Bueckers, who continues to orchestrate the offense, will now carry an even heavier load. While Dallas has shown flashes of resilience, losing Yueru forces a recalibration of both their defensive schemes and offensive sets.
What’s Next for Yueru
For Yueru, the setback halts what had been an encouraging season of growth. At just 25 years old, the Chinese international has established herself as a key figure in the Wings’ long-term vision. Her rehab will likely extend into the offseason, but Dallas remains confident in her ability to return at full strength for 2026.
Her absence also leaves a gap in the league’s growing international presence. Yueru, who has represented China in global competitions, has been seen as an ambassador for the WNBA’s increasing international reach.
Looking Ahead
The Wings now face a stretch run where every game carries weight. Without Yueru, Dallas will need to find answers quickly to remain competitive in a tight Western Conference race. While the team has embraced a “next player up” mentality, her absence underscores the challenges of building continuity in a season filled with injuries.
For Yueru, the focus now shifts to recovery and preparation for the next chapter of her career. While the injury ends her 2025 campaign prematurely, the Wings and their fan base remain optimistic that she will return stronger, ready to once again anchor the Dallas frontcourt.
Dallas continues its road trip this week, with the next game scheduled against the Los Angeles Sparks on Wednesday, August 20, at Crypto.com Arena.
