Embracing the title of "veteran" during the Dallas Wings’ Media Day wasn’t on the fourth-year forward’s plans, but on May 31, 2025, NaLyssa Smith certainly had the look of a player who had seen anything opponents could possibly throw her way. Upped in her aggressiveness on both ends of the floor, Smith sends out a few invites to Dallas’ “block party,” starting with a paint-protecting swat of Courtney Vandersloot’s layup attempt. Like bad pick-up lines at a bar, Smith’s highlight tape — as evidenced by a three-block first half — offered rejections in abundance, even during a loss to the Chicago Sky. Physical, and looking the part of a former No. 2 pick, Smith enjoyed her season’s finest game to date, offering up 20 points, five rebounds, three denials, and noteworthy shooting splits overall (6-of-12) and from the free throw line (7-of-10). · Jun 1, 2025