Center Jessica Shepard lowering her shoulder to drive hard down the lane, exploding past her defender toward the rim.
Jessica Shepard used her elite handle to pressure the interior defense, turning her multi-level versatility into a historical, record-breaking performance. Photo by Dallas Wings
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‘Figuring Out What The Team Needs’: Jessica Shepard’s Versatility Fuels Historic Triple-Double Against Las Vegas Aces

DHJ Quick Take: Jessica Shepard’s Historic Triple-Double Powers Wings Past Aces

  • First 22-20-10 in WNBA History: Jessica Shepard recorded 22 points, 20 rebounds, and 10 assists, the first player in league history with at least that stat line; it was her second triple-double in just over a week and the third of her career.
  • Steady All Season: Shepard is averaging 13.0 points, 11.4 rebounds, and 6.5 assists through eight games while shooting 56.8% from the field, and she has posted a double-double in five straight games.
  • Dominant On The Glass: Shepard became just the second Wings player to grab at least 20 rebounds in a regular-season game, and her defensive rebounding fueled Dallas in transition.
  • The Connective Piece: Shepard’s 10 assists capped a night in which she set the tone as a facilitator, with coach Jose Fernandez crediting her ability to handle the ball and initiate the offense off the glass.

ARLINGTON, Texas — Dallas Wings forward Jessica Shepard made history tonight in the Wings’ assertive 95-87 comeback victory against the Las Vegas Aces, becoming the first player in WNBA history to record a stat line of at least 22 points, 20 rebounds and 10 assists.

Shepard’s triple-double tonight marks her second in just over a week, and the third of her career. However, when asked how she felt after her historic performance, Shepard was more focused on the team’s success than on her own accomplishments.

“For me, these things don’t really matter so much,” Shepard said. “I came here to help this organization win and take that next step. So I’m just proud of this team for being able to come back and beat a team like Las Vegas tonight.”

Jessica Shepard Extends Her Streak Of Steady Production

That mindset has translated into consistent success for Shepard, as she affects the game in every facet, especially on the offensive end. She has been a central piece for Dallas since the season opened, averaging 13.0 points, 11.4 rebounds, and 6.5 assists in 31.9 minutes per game through eight games while shooting 56.8% from the field. She has scored double digits in her past five games, tying her longest career streak of scoring at least 10 points.

Tonight also marked her fifth straight game with a double-double, tying Wings posts Teaira McCowan and Glory Johnson for fourth-longest in franchise history. Two of those double-doubles were triple-doubles, including tonight’s against Las Vegas and an 18-point, 10-rebound, 12-assist effort at Chicago on May 20.

“I’m a very versatile post player who can do a lot of things,” Shepard said. “So I think it’s just every night, figuring out what the team needs, whether that’s scoring, rebounding, passing, whatever it is.”

Rebounding Anchors the Comeback

Shepard is the first player to reach the 20 rebound mark so far this season, and also became just the second Wings player to snag at least 20 rebounds in a regular season game. In Thursday’s matchup, Shepard’s defensive rebounding, combined with her ability to bring the ball up the court and find open teammates, proved particularly lethal.

“It makes things easier because she’s a big that can handle the basketball and get you into things,” coach Jose Fernandez said. “Especially when she gets it off the glass. We kept telling our guys, when Jess gets it off the glass, let’s get a great rim run. Her starting and initiating things was huge.”

A Connective Piece for the Dallas Wings

The part that arguably stands out the most about Shepard’s game, though, is how much of a connective piece she is for the Wings. Whether she’s setting ball screens, pushing the pace in transition or finding open teammates, Shepard is the glue that holds the Wings together and the engine that makes them run.

That attribute was on full display tonight, especially evident through her passing. Time and time again Shepard created easy looks for her teammates, reading the defense and making the right decision almost every time. Her 10 assists may not be quite as eye-catching as her point and rebound totals, but they were just as valuable, and she could’ve easily had more.

“I owe Jess a few (assists) after tonight,” Wings guard Paige Bueckers said. “I smoked some layups. She probably could have had 15 assists.”

While Shepard’s historic stat line tonight further highlights the many ways she impacts winning, she doesn’t seem too concerned with whether those parts of her game receive enough recognition. When asked if there is any part of her game that she feels is underrated:

“No,” Shepard said simply with a smile.

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Natalya Shelton
Natalya Shelton is an honors student at The University of Texas at Austin majoring in journalism and minoring in sports production and broadcasting. She is a sports reporter for The Daily Texan and Texas Student Television, and is currently working as a Digital Media and Sports Journalism Intern with Dallas Hoops Journal. Sports journalism, and specifically women's basketball, is her passion and she strives to develop compelling stories through both written and visual media.