DHJ Quick Take: Dallas Wings Prepare for Las Vegas Aces Matchup
- A’ja Wilson Defensive Plan: Paige Bueckers said the Wings will guard the reigning MVP “with five” rather than rely on single coverage. Jose Fernandez pointed to Wilson’s versatility and range as what separates her, while Azzi Fudd called her “unguardable.”
- Bueckers On Paint Defense: Following the Wings holding New York to 32 second-half points on Sunday, Bueckers said the team has homed in on protecting the paint and forcing opponents to beat them from mid-range.
- Fudd’s Approach After Record-Setting Outing: Fudd attributed her career-high 24 points and WNBA rookie record six made 3-pointers to slowing down her decision-making.
- Las Vegas Aces Preparation: Fernandez framed Thursday’s matchup as a defensive challenge built around Wilson, Chennedy Carter’s bench scoring, and the Aces’ guard depth.
DALLAS — The Dallas Wings practiced Wednesday at SMU in their final session before Thursday’s matchup with the Las Vegas Aces at College Park Center. Paige Bueckers, Azzi Fudd, and head coach Jose Fernandez spoke with the media about the Aces’ challenge and the team’s defensive concepts.
The Wings are coming off Sunday’s 91-76 win over the New York Liberty in which they held the 2024 WNBA champions to 32 second-half points. Dallas closed its three-game road trip 2-1.
Fernandez said Thursday’s matchup with Las Vegas comes down to defense.
“Having someone like A’ja inside and her perimeter play, and how [Chennedy] Carter’s coming off the bench and doing what she’s doing — we’re gonna have to defend. That’s what it’s gonna come down to,” Fernandez said.
He pointed to Wilson’s versatility as the element that separates her from the rest of the league.
“I think her versatility for her size. She can get it off the ground, she starts the break,” Fernandez said. “With her range now and extending the floor from how she started off the year finishing the three, but the ways that she can score off the block, the elbow, short corner, and the way she can also facilitate — those things separate her.”
Bueckers said the plan centers on team-wide attention rather than focusing on just slowing down Wilson.
“She’s tough to guard in single coverage, so we know it’s not just a one-on-one matchup, but we’re guarding her with five,” Bueckers said.
Fudd, who set a Wings rookie record with six made 3-pointers in Brooklyn, said her breakout came down to slowing the game down.
“A big thing was that I slowed down that game. I was trying to be very intentional about taking a deep breath and slowing down,” Fudd said.
Tip-off between the Wings and Aces is set for 7 p.m. CT Thursday at College Park Center.
Full interviews below.
Paige Bueckers
Azzi Fudd
Jose Fernandez
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