DHJ Quick Take: Wings Lean Into Switching Identity, Prep for High-Stakes Aces Matchup
- Sustaining Baseline Aggression: Returning to practice at SMU following a highly successful 2-1 road trip, the Wings are working to solidify their defensive philosophy. Center Jessica Shepard noted that the team’s defensive floor plan hinges on cohesive, unified positioning and mastery of secondary help concepts.
- The Ripple Effect of Elite Length: Head coach Jose Fernandez highlighted forward Awak Kuier’s length as an invaluable interior asset that alters opponents’ rim metrics. Kuier noted that shifting into a switch-heavy defensive matrix postgame in Brooklyn perfectly maximizes the roster’s baseline mobility.
- The Spacing Paradox: Despite sitting near the bottom of the WNBA in raw pace, Dallas continues to lead the league in fast-break points. Fernandez attributes this lethal transition system to precise floor spacing, structured glass control, and off-ball perimeter gravity generated by Paige Bueckers and Arike Ogunbowale.
- A Championship Test Awaits: The 4-3 Wings return home to College Park Center on Thursday to face a standard-setting Las Vegas Aces roster headlined by four-time MVP A’ja Wilson. The locker room is prioritizing defensive execution and perimeter rebounding to lock up their first marquee home victory.
DALLAS — The Dallas Wings were back on the floor Tuesday at SMU after closing a three-game road trip 2-1 with Sunday’s 91-76 win over the New York Liberty at Barclays Center. Awak Kuier, Jessica Shepard, and head coach Jose Fernandez met with reporters and discussed the team’s defensive progress, its transition offense, and Thursday’s matchup with the Las Vegas Aces at College Park Center.
Dallas is 4-3 overall and 3-1 on the road. Both of its losses, against the Atlanta Dream and Minnesota Lynx, came in games where the Wings led entering the fourth quarter. Sunday’s result also ended a long drought at Barclays Center — Dallas hadn’t won there since July 19, 2023.
Kuier has quickly become one of the team’s defensive anchors. Her length on the back line gives Dallas more freedom to pressure ball handlers on the perimeter, and Fernandez said that ripple effect shows up in everything from positioning to rotation choices.
“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 said.
Shepard, who notched the third triple-double in franchise history to open the trip at Chicago, said the defensive turnaround in Brooklyn came from a group that’s starting to understand itself.
“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 said. “And then obviously, between Lan and Awak, we have great rim protectors at the five position.”
The Wings leaned into a more switch-heavy look against the Liberty after halftime, and Kuier said the scheme played into the roster’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 said.
Fudd’s rookie season took a meaningful step forward on Sunday. The No. 1 overall pick poured in a career-high 24 points and set a Wings rookie record with six made 3-pointers in a single game. Fernandez praised her defensive feel — something he’s pointed out since training camp.
“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,” Fernandez said.
Offensively, the Wings have been one of the most efficient teams in the WNBA. They lead the league in fast-break points despite sitting near the bottom in pace, a balance Fernandez attributes to spacing and timing.
“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 said. “We’re really, really good there.”
For Kuier, the offensive comfort traces back to the gravity that Paige Bueckers and Arike Ogunbowale create whenever they share the floor.
“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.
Thursday brings a veteran Aces team led by A’ja Wilson and Alyssa Thomas. For Shepard, defense and rebounding will dictate the outcome.
“Vegas is obviously a really good basketball team. They have guards who can score, and then they have A’ja in the paint, and Alyssa’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.”
Tip-off between the Wings and Aces is set for 7 p.m. CT at College Park Center in Arlington.
Full interviews below.
Jose Fernandez
Awak Kuier
Jessica Shepard
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- ‘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
