Since rejoining Dallas in mid-June, Jones has averaged 11.2 points, 4.0 rebounds, 3.5 assists, and 1.5 steals over her last six games. She most recently tallied 12 points, three rebounds, three assists, and a steal in 31 minutes during an 88–85 loss to the Atlanta Dream, marking her fifth double-digit scoring game in the past six outings.
Her contributions have gone beyond the box score. In her 220 minutes on the floor this season, the Wings have posted a team-best +8.6 net rating, underscoring her value as a connector and tone-setter. Jones’ ability to play across multiple positions has enabled the team to experiment with new lineup combinations, sometimes even using her as a small-ball center.
“I thought we had some things going there, playing small, really small with Haley at the five at times,” Wings head coach Chris Koclanes said. “Whether she’s at guard or forward, she gives us another layer to our offense and another dynamic. Just appreciate her level-headedness, but also the pace that she generates with our offense and her ability to facilitate from the post position.”
Unlocking the offense through intelligence and chemistry
Jones’ offensive impact stems from her blend of ball-handling, vision, and feel. She often initiates offense in transition, executes dribble handoffs in the halfcourt, and makes quick, smart decisions that keep possessions flowing.
Her growing chemistry with the Wings’ guards has smoothed out many of the team’s early-season offensive issues. As Dallas emphasizes ball movement and avoids stagnation, Jones has helped anchor that progression.
“She’s a Swiss Army knife — you can plug her in anywhere,” Koclanes said. “Whether she’s at guard or forward, she can push the ball, make plays, and give us another dimension offensively.”
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Koclanes also noted that Jones creates mismatches by forcing difficult defensive decisions.
“When she’s in action as a facilitator — when she’s dribbling into actions — teams are switching, so she’s able to roll down some smaller mismatches,” he said. “When she has bigger, more traditional posts on her, they’re not able to pressure her out on the perimeter. So she has more vision and more time to facilitate for us and make passes within our offense.”
He cited a recent matchup against the New York Liberty as a prime example when the defensive game plan was to hide the “weak” defender on Jones. This prompted Dallas to frequently bring her up as a screener to punish that defender, whether it was Sabrina Ionescu or Marine Johannes.
“They tried to quote-unquote ‘hide’ people on her — with Sabrina [Ionescu] and with [Marine] Johannes,” Koclanes said. “But I thought we did a good job continuing to bring her into action and bring people we want to attack into actions.”
Defenses have also tried cross-matching centers on Jones since they are betting on her not making them pay from beyond the arc. Dallas has responded by placing Jones up top in delay sets and using her as a dribble handoff hub, forcing those bigs into space.
“I think it’s just continuing to exploit those matchups,” Jones said. “Like tonight, [Brionna Jones] and I were mismatched on one another, so we tried to be physical with her, and I tried to create off the dribble. My teammates do a good job of finding me when I’ve got a mismatch and letting me play in space. I’m working on consistently knocking down that short roll, because right now teams are sagging off it. If I keep hitting that, they’ll have to step up, and then I can playmake even more.”
As a result of the opposition’s strategies, Jones often finds herself as the big in actions with Paige Bueckers. The two have developed a strong chemistry, with Jones finding the proper balance between contact on screens and dialing timely slips into space to make herself available in the pocket.
“Her IQ is crazy. She makes the right read every play,” Jones said. “I can just get in that little window and make decisions as a post player. I think it’s a good look for the offense. She communicates really well with me, and I do the same with her. We’re building that chemistry, and I think it’s only going to grow from here.”
Having a full array of screener options with Jones in the action has given Bueckers a complete relief option. Teams face a level of unpredictability because they don’t know what tempo or approach she’s going to use, which complicates situations guarding a great offensive threat like Bueckers or Arike Ogunbowale.
“She just has good tempo into and out of her action,” Koclanes said of Jones.” So when she’s screening, rolling, and putting pressure on the defense, it’s tough. She’s a good slipper, too.”
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Koclanes has quickly appreciated Jones’ ability to mix it up as a screener, especially against smaller matchups. The on-ball defender has to worry about contact from her screens when fighting over, and she reads quickly to slip against switching. She’s proven to be a quality decision-maker with short-range touch after the catch.
“If teams are guarding her with smaller people, she’s got speed out of her slips, which creates communication problems for the defense,” he said. “Then, once she has the ball in space, you have the luxury of someone who can make good decisions.”
Defensive grit and accountability define her presence
Jones has also become one of Dallas’ most trusted defenders, often switching across multiple positions and handling physical post players or quick guards depending on the matchup. Her size, intelligence, and positioning combination have helped elevate the Wings’ defensive effort.
“Toughness and intelligence,” Koclanes said. “She’s undersized at times but competes hard. She plays tendencies well, positions early, and stays disciplined. She’s also great off the ball and helps organize our defense.”
There is a lot of room for defensive growth for this Wings squad, and Jones is taking pride in helping achieve a turnaround on that front. She’s already seeing some progress in key areas.
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“I think our second efforts have really improved — those scramble situations, 50-50 balls, extra rotations,” Jones explained. “We’re selling out more, getting rebounds, and not letting the offense control how we defend.”
Her leadership has grown in tandem with her role. Following a close loss to Atlanta, Jones emphasized the importance of execution in high-pressure moments.
“We’re proud of how we fought,” Jones said. “But in close games like that, communication and execution have to be better. We’re learning. These are the games that test us.”
Building an identity with lineup flexibility and trust
Jones joined the Wings earlier this season on a hardship contract, was waived, and then re-signed for the remainder of the season in July. Since returning, she has been instrumental in the team’s steady improvement, particularly as the roster regains health.
“It’s been about getting more comfortable — knowing the girls, understanding what I bring, and having clear communication from Coach Chris and the staff,” Jones said. “They’ve trusted me in different roles — guarding bigs, pushing in transition, making plays. That trust helps, and my chemistry with everyone — Paige, Arike, Aziaha [James], JJ — it’s all growing game by game.”
Dallas center Luisa Geiselsöder echoed that sentiment, praising Jones’s impact on the Wings. Jones’s effort is infectious among her teammates, making her someone who is already viewed as a leader.
“Haley’s been huge for us. She brings energy and plays with heart,” Geiselsöder said. “She literally leaves everything on the court. I’m really proud and happy to be her teammate.”
Even as Dallas remains outside of playoff position, Jones has carved out a clear role as the team’s most versatile and reliable connector. She’s become essential to the Wings ‘ foundation, whether initiating offense, defending post players, or helping organize the floor.
“I think this team has a lot of resiliency and fight,” Jones said. “Even when we start out behind — whether it’s against the Aces or tonight — there’s no internal panic. We stay together, and you can see that on the court.”
For the Wings to climb the standings in the weeks ahead, they’ll need more of that steady hand, and few provide it like Haley Jones.
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