DHJ Quick Take: Li Yueru Shifts Wings’ Momentum in Chicago
- The Plus-Minus Swing Factor: Logging only 9 minutes total across Dallas’ first four games, center Li Yueru emerged as the ultimate tactical counter against Chicago, orchestrating a game-high plus-18 rating in 19 season-high minutes off the bench.
- Stifling the Low-Block Threat: Tasked with neutralizing Kamilla Cardoso after a flawless 12-point first half, Yueru’s 6-foot-7 frame physically altered the interior matchups, walling up to anchor an 8-0 second-quarter surge that immediately erased a double-digit deficit.
- Perimeter Spacing Breaks Drop Coverage: Beyond her post-denial presence, Yueru stretched the floor by drilling her first 3-pointer of the season. The threat pulled Chicago’s size out of the paint, carving open baseline driving lanes for Paige Bueckers and Arike Ogunbowale during a massive 34-point third-quarter explosion.
- Roster Depth Validated as a Superpower: Facing extreme playing-time constraints behind a loaded frontcourt rotation, Yueru’s consistent preparation and breakout performance earned immense postgame praise from Bueckers and Jessica Shepard, cementing Dallas’ selfless, next-man-up identity.
CHICAGO — Li Yueru had played 9 minutes total through Dallas’ first four games. By the end of the second quarter, Wednesday night at Wintrust Arena, head coach Jose Fernandez had no choice but to call her number.
Kamilla Cardoso had 12 first-half points on 6-of-6 shooting. The Chicago Sky led by 10. The Dallas Wings needed size to slow down Cardoso, and Yueru was the answer.
The 6-foot-7 center finished with 7 points, 9 rebounds and 3 assists in 19 minutes, posting a plus-18 that was the highest mark of any player on either roster. The Wings won 99-89, snapping a six-game losing streak against Chicago and picking up their first road win in the city since the 2022 season.
“I thought Li had an amazing game,” Paige Bueckers said. “She was a plus-18 in 19 minutes, and we wouldn’t have won this game without her.”
Jose Fernandez Calls Li Yueru’s Number in Chicago
Yueru’s box score Wednesday didn’t resemble anything she had done through Dallas’ first four games. She played 5 minutes against the Washington Mystics on May 18, 4 minutes against the Indiana Fever on May 9, and was held out entirely against the Atlanta Dream on May 12.
The Chicago game more than doubled her season total in minutes. Her 7 points, 9 rebounds and 3 assists were each season highs. The plus-18 swung her season plus-minus from minus-1 to plus-17.
Cardoso came in averaging a double-double through her first four games. She picked up right where she left off against Dallas, going 6-of-6 from the field for 12 points in the first half by burying her seal deep, catching high and finishing through contact whenever Alanna Smith or Jessica Shepard drew the assignment.
Fernandez had run into the same problem in Dallas’ last meeting with Chicago. This time, he wanted a different look.
“Cardoso was very tough against our post players,” Fernandez said. “She was catching it, burying and getting deep. Even on doubles, she was getting through double teams and finishing.”
Yueru checked in alongside Aziaha James with a few minutes left in the second quarter. The two combined to spark an 8-0 run that cut Chicago’s lead from 10 to two, 32-30, with 3:39 left in the half. Cardoso did not score during that stretch.
“Li changed the game defensively because at least she could push her out and wall up and also provide that resistance inside,” Fernandez said. “We got stuff off the glass. I think it made Cardoso have to guard out on the perimeter because Li can stretch the floor. That opened up some things for our perimeter players to get downhill.”
Stretching the Floor Opened the Offense
Yueru’s offense mattered as much as her defense. She hit her first 3-pointer of the season from the corner with 6:11 left in the third quarter, giving Dallas its largest lead to that point at 50-45 and pulling Cardoso further away from the rim than she wanted to be.
That opened up the floor for the Wings’ guards. Bueckers, Shepard and Arike Ogunbowale started finding driving lanes that hadn’t been there earlier. Bueckers hit a patient floater off two screens during that same third quarter, then a catch-and-shoot 2-pointer off a Shepard feed.
Dallas shot 68.8% from the field in the third quarter (11-of-16), 60% from beyond the arc (3-of-5) and 9-of-11 from the free-throw line, outscoring Chicago 34-26 to take a 71-64 lead into the fourth.
Bueckers said the halftime focus was on attacking through Yueru and Shepard.
“We knew their defense is largely drop coverage, so we were trying to attack that and look at those matchups,” Bueckers said. “Li and Jess and Lan and K did a really good job of getting us open.”
Jessica Shepard: It Was ‘Li’s Night’
Shepard, who recorded the third triple-double in Wings team history with 18 points, 10 rebounds and 12 assists, gave her frontcourt partner full credit.
“I like playing with all of our post players. All of them bring something a little different,” Shepard said. “Tonight was Li’s night, and like Paige said, she’s done a great job of staying ready and came up huge for us tonight. I thought her defense was great today.”
Yueru’s season has tested her patience. With Smith, Shepard, Maddy Siegrist and Awak Kuier all rotating through frontcourt minutes depending on the matchup, Yueru had been on the outside of the rotation for most of the first four games.
Bueckers spent more time on Yueru’s mindset than on the box score.
“For her to stay consistent in who she is, go through not playing and getting limited minutes, and still stay positive, be a great teammate, wait for her number to be called and show up like this and perform, I think along with these two, that’s the highlight of the game,” Bueckers said.
A Roster Built for These Decisions
Fernandez has talked all season about needing every player on his roster ready to go on a given night. Wednesday made that case for him.
“You’ve got to use your roster at your disposal,” Fernandez said. “It’s just a credit to the depth of our team that against certain teams and certain lineups, we’re going to have to use different people instead of others from a defensive standpoint.”
Bueckers pointed back to that same idea after the game.
“This team has depth. The depth is our superpower, and on any given night, anybody is willing and able to step up,” Bueckers said. “That’s what we need them to do, and that’s what they do on numerous occasions.”
What Comes Next
Yueru has given Fernandez something to lean on the next time Dallas runs into a high-end center. The Wings still have matchups looming with the New York Liberty and Jonquel Jones, plus the Las Vegas Aces and A’ja Wilson — two more frontcourts where size will matter.
Dallas continues its three-game road trip Friday against the Atlanta Dream at Gateway Center, with tip-off set for 6:30 p.m. CT on ION.
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