Dallas Wings Practice Notes: Defensive Identity, Azzi Fudd’s Impact And Las Vegas Aces Preparation

DALLAS — The Dallas Wings returned to the floor Tuesday at SMU after closing a 2-1 three-game road trip with Sunday’s 91-76 win over the New York Liberty at Barclays Center.

Dallas is 4-3 on the season and 3-1 on the road. Sunday’s win in Brooklyn ended a long drought at Barclays Center — the franchise’s first win there since July 19, 2023 — and held the 2024 WNBA champions to just 32 points in the second half.

Jose Fernandez Reflects On Road Trip And Shifts Focus To Las Vegas

Fernandez said the day was about staying inward before the group turns its attention to the Aces, who arrive Thursday as the reigning WNBA champions. Las Vegas returns a championship core built around A’ja Wilson, Chelsea Gray, and Jackie Young.

“Coming off an off day, just concentrating on us. We’re doing good, but we could play better, I think. And then tomorrow we start focusing on Vegas,” Fernandez said. “I like how we shared the ball. We really didn’t press down that identity that we wanted to have. Defensively, we’re improving, and that’s an area that we’re going to continue to get better every day.”

Two of the Wings’ two losses this season — to the Atlanta Dream and Minnesota Lynx — came in games where they led entering the fourth quarter. Fernandez said those finishes have become a teaching point.

“Yeah, we played a really, really tough schedule. To be 4-3, and in two losses — the Atlanta game and the Minnesota game — all three of those games we had leads in the fourth,” Fernandez said. “But we’re learning from those and what we could have done differently. It’s magnified when it gets to those one- or two-possession games.”

Awak Kuier’s Defensive Versatility

Kuier has emerged as a defensive anchor in seven games. Her length on the back line lets Dallas press the perimeter harder, and Fernandez said that ripple effect shows up across the team’s rotations.

“I think because of her length, she can protect the basket and change shots. So length obviously is huge. It determines your positioning. It determines how you consider your lineups down the road that you’re going to use down the road as well,” Fernandez told Dallas Hoops Journal.

Kuier said the switching look Dallas leaned on in the second half against New York played into the team’s strengths.

“I mean, I think the switching helps us be more aggressive. We can really just get to the ball, and I think we’re a very mobile team, so that also helps us a lot,” Kuier told Dallas Hoops Journal. “But moving forward, I feel like we can do anything. Our team is very capable of doing anything, so I think we’ll have to see.”

Shepard credited the frontcourt chemistry between Kuier and Alanna Smith as a major factor in the team’s defensive ceiling.

“I think when we’re aggressive as a group, we’re a whole different defensive team. So I think for us it’s just knowing each other, learning who needs help where, and then also really kind of locking in on our concepts defensively,” Shepard told Dallas Hoops Journal. “And then obviously, between Lan and Awak, we have great rim protectors at the five position.”

Azzi Fudd’s Two-Way Impact Drawing Praise

Following her career-best 24 points and a WNBA rookie record six made 3-pointers Sunday, Fudd continues to draw attention for her defensive instincts. The No. 1 overall pick logged a season-high 32 minutes in Brooklyn and finished with a team-best plus-22, including a stretch defending Sabrina Ionescu in the second half that helped tilt the game.

Fernandez said Fudd’s defensive feel has been evident throughout the season, from her instincts on the ball to her play in passing lanes.

“Well, that’s the thing. Having the right balance where sometimes you’ll pressure too much and then the ball could go by her,” Fernandez told Dallas Hoops Journal. “But she has really, really good instincts, whether it’s her touching or walling up. Then also when she’s away from the ball, reading what’s happening in the passing lanes.”

Kuier said the impact of having a perimeter defender like Fudd flows through to the frontcourt.

“It’s amazing. It honestly helps us on defense to have someone guarding the point guard really well. And she did a really good job, put a lot of pressure on her, so I think that helps the team overall,” Kuier told Dallas Hoops Journal.

Shepard pointed to Fudd’s background at UConn as a foundation for her defensive IQ.

“I think Azzi is just a really smart defensive player. I’m sure it goes back to just playing at UConn and the system that they had there,” Shepard told Dallas Hoops Journal. “But she’s a smart defender and she also puts all of her effort into it every possession. I think it’s a good mix.”

Offensive Comfort Building Around Paige Bueckers and Arike Ogunbowale

Kuier said the offensive chemistry has caught up as the team has settled in. The gravity created by Paige Bueckers and Arike Ogunbowale has opened space for the rest of the lineup.

“I think it helps having Paige and Arike on the court at the same time. Those are players that tend to take a lot of attention. So that leaves me in those situations where I can really read the game and feel more comfortable,” Kuier said. “So I think that helps a lot.”

The Wings have been one of the most efficient offensive teams in the WNBA, leading the league in fast-break points while ranking near the bottom in pace. Fernandez said the group is finding the right balance between pushing in transition and slowing it down when needed.

“Timing’s correlated, but we need to get it off the glass and get to our spots. And after getting to our spots, what we want to do,” Fernandez told Dallas Hoops Journal. “We’re really, really good there.”

He added that there’s still room to grow in ball movement, particularly getting it to the second side of the floor.

“Sometimes the ball doesn’t get to the second side, even though that’s such a big part of good offense. People are waiting up,” Fernandez told Dallas Hoops Journal. “But if we can get a baseline drive or dribble to reverse the pass, or even get some action from the backside, that would ease up a lot of things where it doesn’t get later in the clock with people waiting.”

Adaptability A Throughline for Jessica Shepard

Shepard, who recorded the third triple-double in franchise history on May 20 at Chicago, has fit into multiple systems throughout her career, both overseas and across the WNBA. The veteran said adaptability has become a defining trait.

“I’m the type of player that gets put in a lot of systems, but every six months I’m playing with a different team, so you just find a way to adapt yourself,” Shepard said. “I’m someone who likes to win, so just doing whatever the team needs each game to win. I know that’s different every game from my previous situation, so just adjusting and adapting as best as you can.”

She added that her role has shifted depending on the situation, but consistency has remained the constant.

“My role has been different in every system I’ve played in. When I go over to Europe, I’m more of the go-to player. When I play in the league, I’ve been somebody who needs to come in and suddenly do your job,” Shepard said. “So I think just being consistent is the biggest thing I’ve taken away from all of them.”

Different Players Stepping Up Game to Game

The Wings have leaned on contributions from across the roster through seven games, with different players taking turns leading the way. Kuier said that depth has been a defining feature.

“Just having different people show up each game is always good. It’s been amazing. I think that’s the beauty of having so many talented players on one team,” Kuier said. “I think every game it just depends on the game and how everything goes. So it’s great. We’re very close, so we’re happy for each other.”

Shepard offered a similar take after Sunday’s win in Brooklyn, where Fudd’s breakout came alongside production from Bueckers, Ogunbowale, and Shepard herself.

“Yeah, it’s been great. Obviously, the success we were having the other day in New York, to get a different person to step up, it’s been a lot of fun. Hopefully, we can pick up where we left off,” Shepard said.

Las Vegas Aces Preview

The Wings and Aces met twice during the preseason in Austin, but Fernandez said the team’s preparation will be built around current personnel and tape rather than those exhibitions.

“I think for us, those two preseason games, we got to see a lot of people that were in training camp. I think we knew how we wanted to play, and we played those multiple games with staff, and there were some things that we ran there,” Fernandez said. “I think our playbook now is a lot more extended. But great atmosphere in Austin, great support. We know what Vegas is.”

Shepard pointed to defense and rebounding as the keys to a Wings victory, with former Dallas teammate NaLyssa Smith — traded from the Wings to Las Vegas on June 30, 2025 — now playing alongside Wilson in the Aces frontcourt.

“Vegas is obviously a really good basketball team. They have guards who can score, and then they have A’ja in the paint, and NaLyssa’s been playing some of her best basketball,” Shepard said. “So I think defense is gonna be a huge factor in that game, as well as rebounding.”

Kuier said the focus is on disrupting what Las Vegas does best.

“I mean, they’re a team with a lot of history. They know how to play with each other. So I feel like we need to find a way to disrupt their offense and the things that they like to do. So I feel like that’s the way we would go about it,” Kuier said.

Up Next

The Wings host the Aces on Thursday at College Park Center, with tip-off set for 7 p.m. CT.

More Wings Coverage on Dallas Hoops Journal

• Dallas Wings Practice Interviews: Awak Kuier, Jessica Shepard And Jose Fernandez (May 26, 2026)
• Paige Bueckers On Azzi Fudd’s Breakout Game vs. New York Liberty: ‘We Knew It Was Only A Matter Of Time’
• ‘Took It Personal’: Jose Fernandez Credits Halftime Defensive Adjustment In Dallas Wings’ 91-76 Win Over New York Liberty
• ‘Play A Little Bit Slower’: Azzi Fudd Adjusts Approach To Shatter Dallas Wings’ Rookie Record vs. New York Liberty
• Paige Bueckers Names ‘Controllables’ That Define Dallas Wings Identity After Win Over New York Liberty
• Azzi Fudd On Dallas Wings’ Selfless Culture, Earning Her Time: ‘It Doesn’t Matter If I’m Starting’
• ‘The Numbers Don’t Lie’: Azzi Fudd’s Rookie Record, Dallas Wings’ Suffocating Second Half Power 91-76 Win Over New York Liberty
• ‘Felt Like She Had 25’: Awak Kuier Shows Dynamic Potential For Dallas Wings Amid Career-High vs. Atlanta Dream