DHJ Quick Take: Dallas Wings Near Preseason Opener
- Defensive Tone-Setter: Alanna Smith’s debut is the most significant tactical storyline for Dallas. As the reigning WNBA Co-Defensive Player of the Year, her “one-percenter” mentality is the mechanical necessity required to anchor a shorthanded Wings frontcourt while Jessica Shepard and Awak Kuier remain overseas.
- The Fudd Era Begins: Thursday marks the unofficial start of the Azzi Fudd era. Following her selection as the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 WNBA Draft, her integration into Jose Fernandez‘s pace-and-spacing system is the primary “Evaluation Window” for a backcourt missing Arike Ogunbowale.
- The Perimeter Gauntlet: Jose Fernandez is not easing into his tenure. Facing Caitlin Clark and Kelsey Mitchell in his first live game provides an immediate “Measuring Stick” for his defensive containment principles. His history with Stephanie White and Clark in USA Basketball adds a layer of chess-match intrigue to the exhibition.
- Process Over Results: With a “thinned-down” roster, the Wings are prioritizing habits—transition defense, ball-loading, and offensive spacing—over the final score. For Fernandez, this road trip is as much a test run for his coaching staff’s game-day operations as it is for the players.
INDIANAPOLIS — The Dallas Wings held their gameday shootaround Thursday morning at Gainbridge Fieldhouse with their preseason opener against the Indiana Fever just hours away, and the message from both head coach Jose Fernandez and free agent addition Alanna Smith centered on identity.
For Smith, that means using a thinned-down roster as a chance to lay down chemistry early. For Fernandez, it means seeing how a roster still missing several pieces translates the practice priorities of pace, spacing, defensive containment, and rebounding into live reps.
Alanna Smith on Forging an Identity Early
Smith, the reigning WNBA Co-Defensive Player of the Year who signed with Dallas this offseason after a 34-10 campaign with Minnesota, said her competitive baseline doesn’t change based on whether it’s preseason or regular season. She wants to compete right away and use this game as a chance to build chemistry.
“I think this is a really good opportunity for us to form and solidify our identity. I’m ultra-competitive, so the goal is to win, but also just to learn how to play together, build some chemistry, and get off on the right foot for the season,” Smith told Dallas Hoops Journal.
She framed Indiana’s roster, which includes Caitlin Clark and Kelsey Mitchell, as a useful early measuring stick even with Aliyah Boston ruled out for the night.
“Being able to compete against some of the best of the best is a privilege. It’s going to be great for us to test how we can play defense individually, but also together. So yeah, we’re excited,” Smith told Dallas Hoops Journal.
Doing the Small Things in a Smaller Lineup
With Arike Ogunbowale, Jessica Shepard, Awak Kuier, and Costanza Verona all unavailable as they continue to work through overseas commitments, Dallas still has a chance to focus on the smaller details. Fernandez emphasized defense and rebounding after Tuesday’s practice. For a team that will lean on versatility rather than size, Smith is looking to set the tone in these areas.
“It’s about doing the one-percenters every time, hitting bodies, boxing out, crashing, and not taking plays off,” Smith told Dallas Hoops Journal. “When the shot goes up, it’s still live. So it’s just focusing on staying locked in for the entire possession.”
She also leaned into the value of preseason reps for offensive chemistry, given how many rotational pieces have yet to share the floor.
“It’s not the ideal training camp scenario where everyone is together learning at the same time, but any chance to get on the court and play is great,” Smith told Dallas Hoops Journal. “We’re going to treat this like a real game and go out there and be competitive.”
Alanna Smith’s Note for the Dallas Wings’ Rookies
Top overall pick Azzi Fudd is among those who will play her first professional minutes Thursday, and Smith said the message to first-year players is straightforward.
“I think it’s about having a sense of gratitude and remembering where you came from. This is the best league in the world, so having the opportunity to play against some of the best players is really special,” Smith told Dallas Hoops Journal. “Just soak it all in and be yourself. There’s no need to try to be something you’re not. Play to your strengths. I think the rookies have been doing a great job so far, and I have no doubt they’ll continue to do well.”
Jose Fernandez Wants to See His Pace and Spacing on Display
Fernandez, who unofficially begins his first season as Wings head coach on Thursday, said the night is about translating practice habits into game reps. His checklist starts on the offensive end.
“How we play with the pace I want to play at is important. We need to make sure our offensive spacing is good, how we’re valuing the ball and taking care of it, and how we’re playing out of different actions, what’s happening after those actions,” Fernandez told Dallas Hoops Journal.
The defensive list is just as detailed.
“Defensively, it’s about how we guard the ball, not letting it get by us, our transition defense, stopping the ball, loading up, and making sure we’re playing five-on-five in the half court,” Fernandez told Dallas Hoops Journal. “Then how we rebound the ball.”
He pointed to enthusiasm and communication as natural byproducts of finally facing another team after weeks of intrasquad practice work.
“It’s good to play against someone else. A lot of people will get time tonight, and then we’ll see how things look once we get more players in the fold later in the week,” Fernandez told Dallas Hoops Journal.
Indiana Fever’s Backcourt as a First Test
Even with Boston sidelined, Indiana’s backcourt of Clark and Kelsey Mitchell offers Dallas one of the more demanding perimeter assignments it could draw to open the preseason. Fernandez said the matchup will place pressure on several specific defensive responsibilities at once.
“It’ll be a good test for our guards in how we defend, dribble penetration, defending the arc, and where our help rotations come from,” Fernandez told Dallas Hoops Journal. “That’ll all be good to see.”
Fernandez also pulled back the curtain a bit on his prior history with Fever head coach Stephanie White and Clark, both of whom he spent time with in a USA Basketball setting in Puerto Rico.
“I’ve known Steph for a long time. When she was coaching in college at Vanderbilt, she did a bunch of my games,” Fernandez told Dallas Hoops Journal. “Getting time to spend with her in Puerto Rico was great. She has a great basketball mind. We had a really good time in coaches meetings and on the floor working together.”
Fernandez said the Clark portion of that experience stood out as well.
“CC was great. It was good to see her back on the floor and involved with USA Basketball. Being in that environment was really cool to see,” Fernandez told Dallas Hoops Journal.
A Useful Test Run for the Staff, Too
Fernandez closed the shootaround availability by noting that the road preseason schedule is also a working session for his coaching staff and game-day operation, not just the players.
“It’s also good for our staff, getting on the road and making sure all of our game-day responsibilities are aligned. You can talk about things, but when situations come up that need to be changed or tweaked, we want to be on the same page,” Fernandez told Dallas Hoops Journal.
Dallas Wings Injury Report
The overseas group isn’t the only set of names on the Dallas inactive list.
Rookie guard JJ Quinerly is out with a left knee designation as she continues her recovery from October surgery to repair her meniscus and address an osteochondral injury. Forward Rayah Marshall is also out, listed in concussion protocol.
Veteran point guard Lindsay Allen carries a probable tag with a right hamstring designation after ramping up her on-court work in Tuesday’s practice, putting her in line for possible first preseason minutes.
Up Next
The Wings tip off against the Fever at 6 p.m. CT Thursday at Gainbridge Fieldhouse, with the game airing nationally on ION and streaming on WNBA League Pass.
Dallas closes its preseason slate Sunday against the Las Vegas Aces at the Moody Center in Austin before opening the regular season May 9 in Indianapolis.
More Wings Coverage on Dallas Hoops Journal
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- Azzi Fudd Throws Out First Pitch At Texas Rangers Game On Dallas Wings Night
- Dallas Wings Practice Recap: JJ Quinerly, Lindsay Allen Increase Activity, Dulcy Fankam Mendjiadeu Debuts As Preseason Opener Looms
- Dallas Wings 2026 Media Day: Key Takeaways Featuring Paige Bueckers, Azzi Fudd And More
- Paige Bueckers On Dallas Wings’ New Offensive System: ‘Never A Stagnant Moment’
- ‘It’s About Want To’: Paige Bueckers’ Vocal Leadership Is Setting The Dallas Wings’ Training Camp Tone
- ‘A Dream Come True’: Paige Bueckers, Azzi Fudd Realize Decade-Long Journey To Dallas Wings Backcourt
- ‘She’s Going To Be Special’: Inside Azzi Fudd’s Early Impression At Dallas Wings Training Camp
