DHJ Quick Take: Dallas Wings Turn Inward After Two Straight Wins
- Bueckers On Record Jersey Sale: Paige Bueckers reacted to her WNBA debut jersey selling for a record $64,720, the most ever paid for a WNBA jersey, calling the figure humbling and a sign of women’s sports’ growth.
- Fernandez On Defensive Growth: Jose Fernandez said Dallas (5-3) leads the league in assists and sits at the top of the WNBA offensively, but the team’s next step has to come on defense.
- Shepard’s Historic Line Praised: Maddy Siegrist and Fernandez singled out Jessica Shepard’s passing and versatility, days after her 22-point, 20-rebound, 10-assist game against Las Vegas that was as the first 22-20-10 game in WNBA history.
- Fudd’s Scoring Surge: Bueckers credited Azzi Fudd’s back-to-back 20-point games — 24 at New York and 22 against Las Vegas — to her aggressiveness and movement without the ball.
DALLAS — The Dallas Wings practiced Saturday at SMU, their first of two days before Monday’s home game with the Seattle Storm. Paige Bueckers, Maddy Siegrist, and head coach Jose Fernandez met with the media. Awak Kuier was the only player to sit out the session.
Dallas (5-3) has won two straight, beating Las Vegas 95-87 on Thursday after a 91-76 win at New York on Sunday.
Fernandez said the offense has carried the start, with Dallas leading the league in assists, and that the next step is on defense.
“Our growth has to be on the defensive end. We’ve got to be able to guard one-on-one, keep the ball in front of us, keep it on the third side, defend pick-and-roll situations a lot better than we have been,” he said.
Shepard drew the most attention. Days earlier she put up 22 points, 20 rebounds, and 10 assists against Las Vegas, a line the league’s scorer’s report flagged as the first 22-20-10 game in WNBA history.
“I think she’s just an unbelievable passer. I think her passing is extremely underrated. Obviously she’s a great scorer and a tremendous rebounder, but to be a five and have as many assists as she’s having every single night is extremely impressive,” Siegrist said.
Fernandez said Azzi Fudd earned her starting spot on her own, separate from the absences of Alanna Smith (illness) and a limited Arike Ogunbowale. Bueckers credited Fudd’s back-to-back 20-point games — 24 at New York, 22 against Las Vegas — to a more aggressive approach.
Bueckers also addressed the sale of her WNBA debut jersey for $64,720.
“I think records are meant to be broken. It’s an honor to be the first to do something because that means so many people after you are going to do it, and somebody after me is going to break that record,” she said. She added, “I wouldn’t even pay $10 for my own jersey.”
The Wings host the Seattle Storm on Monday at College Park Center.
Full interviews below.
Paige Bueckers
Maddy Siegrist
Jose Fernandez
More Wings Coverage on Dallas Hoops Journal
- ‘Incredible Resolve’: Azzi Fudd Shines In First Start, Jessica Shepard Makes WNBA History As Dallas Wings Stun Las Vegas Aces 95-87
- ‘Azzi Was Going To Start Regardless Today’: Azzi Fudd Earns Dallas Wings Starting Role vs. Las Vegas Aces
- Arike Ogunbowale Cleared To Play For Dallas Wings Against Las Vegas Aces After Workout
- Maddy Siegrist To Start For Dallas Wings As Alanna Smith Sits vs. Las Vegas Aces
- Paige Bueckers Cleared To Play For Dallas Wings Against Las Vegas Aces
- ‘I Would Not Hesitate Shooting’: Azzi Fudd Details UConn Approach That Unlocked Historic Game vs. New York Liberty
- ‘We’re Guarding Her With Five’: Paige Bueckers, Jose Fernandez Detail A’ja Wilson Matchup
- Dallas Wings Injury Report: Paige Bueckers, Alanna Smith Listed Ahead Of Las Vegas Aces Matchup
- Dallas Wings Practice Interviews: Paige Bueckers, Azzi Fudd And Jose Fernandez (May 27, 2026)
- ‘We Can Do Anything’: How Awak Kuier’s Two-Way Surge Is Giving Dallas Wings A Key Chess Piece
- Paige Bueckers On Azzi Fudd’s Breakout Game vs. New York Liberty: ‘We Knew It Was Only A Matter Of Time’
- ‘The Numbers Don’t Lie’: Azzi Fudd’s Rookie Record, Dallas Wings’ Suffocating Second Half Power 91-76 Win Over New York Liberty
