‘They Try to Help Me a Lot’: Li Yueru Credits Dallas Wings Teammates After Career Night vs. Indiana Fever

Li Yueru has been steadily carving out a role since joining the Dallas Wings, but Tuesday night against the Indiana Fever was a breakthrough. With Arike Ogunbowale sidelined by right knee soreness, Yueru came off the bench to score a career-high 20 points, adding key defensive stops in an 81–80 win at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Her performance helped Dallas snap a five-game skid and secure just its fourth road victory of the season.

“I feel — I mean, I like that feeling,” Yueru told DallasHoopsJournal.com. “I can do something inside and try to do more things. I really appreciate my teammates. They try to help me a lot, give me good feeling, and I’m really appreciative.”

Since being acquired by Dallas, Yueru has averaged 7.6 points, 6.0 rebounds, and 1.0 assists in 21 games, starting 12. She’s shooting 42.6% from the field, 35.4% from three, and 84.2% from the free-throw line in 20.6 minutes per game — all career bests.

She entered midway through the first quarter and quickly made an impact, drilling two three-pointers during a 10–1 run that stretched Dallas’ lead to double digits. She kept the Fever’s defense honest by mixing perimeter shots with deep seals in the paint.

“Myisha just told me every time, ‘Try to post up, post up, stay inside,’ and she will pass to me. I’m feeling great for this moment,” Yueru told DallasHoopsJournal.com. “I’m really encouraged by her. She tries to teach me and gives me energy. She brings a lot of energy for me, and I’m really appreciative.”

Li Yueru Met the Challenge Against Aliyah Boston

Yueru also drew praise for her work against All-Star Aliyah Boston, one of the league’s most efficient and physically imposing post players. Tasked with holding her ground against Boston’s strength and footwork, Yueru battled for position early, contested without fouling, and forced the All-Star into tough finishes rather than giving up easy looks.

“Physicality — moving her feet, staying straight up, not backing down,” head coach Chris Koclanes told DallasHoopsJournal.com. “Aliyah Boston is tough — she can take one crab dribble and stick you under the hoop. I loved that we didn’t back down. That was the biggest message — can we bring the fight to them this time?”

Yueru acknowledged the difficulty of the matchup but embraced the challenge. She understood that going up against a dominant, physical presence like Boston would demand focus, discipline, and constant effort on every possession. She approached it as both a test of her individual growth and an opportunity to help set the tone for Dallas in the paint.

“Yeah, she’s really good,” Yueru told DallasHoopsJournal.com. “I just prepare for every time to guard her. Sometimes I do not do really well, and I just try to focus on next time—to defend better next time.”

Hines-Allen, who tallied eight points, six rebounds, and a career-high nine assists, called Yueru’s play decisive, noting that her presence shifted the tone of the game on both ends of the floor. She pointed to Yueru’s ability to finish through contact, stretch the defense with her shooting, and stay locked in defensively against one of the league’s premier posts.

“She dominated today — we don’t win that game without her,” Hines-Allen told DallasHoopsJournal.com. “She got some and-ones; I don’t know how many, but they came in crunch time. Without those strong finishes, I don’t think we win that game. Even defensively, we only win the game because of defense, and it came down to a big stop where she was in the action.”

Koclanes pointed to Yueru’s connection with Hines-Allen as a driving force in the offense, highlighting how the two complemented each other in the high-low game. He noted that Hines-Allen’s vision and willingness to feed the post created prime scoring chances for Yueru, while Yueru’s ability to seal her defender or pop to the perimeter kept the floor balanced.

“Li, 20 points, that offensive punch inside and out,” Koclanes told DallasHoopsJournal.com. “She spoke to it—her and Myisha working high-low, finding her on the inside. It’s good when she throws a couple threes in, but she had a presence inside, got to the free throw line a little bit.”

Li Yueru Helped Seal the Win

After Indiana cut what had been a 17-point Dallas lead to one in the final minutes, Yueru delivered the game’s defining moment. With 2:31 left, she muscled in a layup through Boston’s contact, drew a foul, and converted the free throw. It was a real sign of growth for a center who remains honest about her ongoing development using her size in the paint.

“It’s really important for her to be able to stretch the floor and be a threat from the outside,” Paige Bueckers told DallasHoopsJournal.com after finishing with 16 points and eight assists. “It forces defenses to be in constant rotation to cover her out of a trap. She was aggressive in the paint, finishing well, and it all started on defense.”

Yueru credited her teammates for keeping her engaged and encouraging her to attack, saying their constant communication and trust gave her the confidence to play freely. Whether it was Hines-Allen urging her to seal deep in the paint, guards feeding her on time, or teammates spacing the floor to give her room to work, she felt supported on every possession.

“Like Maddy said, we just try to get the win tonight,” Yueru said. “We try to do small things — do good small things — and try to be better in single defense and offense. For me, I really hope I can keep that feeling for another game and try to keep going more.”

For Koclanes, Yueru’s performance was the definition of being ready when opportunity comes — a product of preparation, patience, and trust in the work she’s put in all season.

“That’s who we are right now,” Koclanes told DallasHoopsJournal.com. “You just don’t know, and when your opportunity comes and you’re ready for it, everyone’s going to get opportunities.”

The Wings return to action on Friday when they host the Los Angeles Sparks at College Park Center.

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