DHJ Quick Take: Wings vs. Lynx Preview
- Fudd Status: Azzi Fudd is officially listed as questionable for Thursday’s matchup against Minnesota. Her participation in Wednesday’s walkthrough and shooting drills marks a progression from being ruled out of the home opener, with a final determination expected following Thursday’s shootaround.
- Bueckers’ Aggressiveness: Jose Fernandez was vocal about Paige Bueckers’ offensive role, revealing he spoke with her on Wednesday about increasing her aggressiveness. Specifically, the staff wants to see the second-year guard hunt more opportunities in transition and isolation sets.
- Defensive Accountability: Following a loss to Atlanta, where the Wings surrendered 11 offensive rebounds, the coaching staff is emphasizing “defensive solidity.” Fernandez rejected any “moral victory” framing, focusing instead on cleaning up shot selection and ball movement.
- Frontcourt Familiarity: Jessica Shepard and Alanna Smith face their former team for the first time. Shepard noted that Wednesday’s film session focused on reclaiming the team’s offensive pace, which “stagnated” against Atlanta’s physicality.
- Scouting Miles: The Wings’ defensive priority is rookie Olivia Miles. Fernandez, who evaluated Miles extensively during the 2026 draft process, highlighted her “court vision” and pick-and-roll play as the engine that drives Minnesota’s balanced attack.
ARLINGTON, Texas — The Dallas Wings are back at College Park Center on Thursday to take on the Minnesota Lynx. The game tips at 7 p.m. CT on Prime. Dallas lost its home opener Tuesday, falling 77-72 to the Atlanta Dream.
Alanna Smith, Jessica Shepard, and head coach Jose Fernandez met with reporters at practice on Wednesday. The Lynx come into Thursday at 1-1 after an 88-84 road win at Phoenix, with Kayla McBride and newcomer Natasha Howard scoring 14 each to lead the way. Lynx head coach Cheryl Reeve enters Thursday with a 47-12 all-time regular-season record against the Wings. Rookie point guard Olivia Miles, McBride, and Courtney Williams have been the focal points of the Minnesota rotation early on. Napheesa Collier (left ankle) and Dorka Juhász (right foot) are out for the Lynx. Azzi Fudd is questionable for the Wings with a right knee injury. She went through the walkthrough at practice on Wednesday.
Smith called Miles a dynamic creator off the dribble and McBride one of the league’s premier shooters. She said the Atlanta loss showed how the group has to play through physicality and find offense even when shots aren’t falling. Smith is also playing with a protective face mask.
Shepard joined the Wings from Minnesota in the offseason and knows the Lynx defense well. She said the team has to play with more intensity on both ends after Wednesday’s film session. Against Atlanta, the offense lacked pace and failed to move the ball, leaving players isolated late in the shot clock. Miles in ball screens will be a key matchup.
Reeve has Minnesota off to a balanced start, Fernandez said, with the guard play setting the tone. Miles caught his eye during the pre-draft process for her court vision and feel for pick-and-roll. The Wings have work to do defensively and on their shot selection after the Atlanta loss. Ball movement is another area Fernandez wants cleaned up. He pushed back on framing the Dream game as a moral victory. Fernandez shared his conversation with Paige Bueckers about being more aggressive in transition and on isolations. He also gave an update on Fudd’s status and broke down the frontcourt lineup choices amid Maddy Siegrist‘s 8-minute outing.
Full interviews below.
Jose Fernandez
Alanna Smith
Jessica Shepard
More Wings Coverage on Dallas Hoops Journal
- Azzi Fudd Listed As Questionable For Dallas Wings vs. Minnesota Lynx After Wednesday Walkthrough
- Dallas Wings vs. Atlanta Dream Postgame Interviews: Arike Ogunbowale, Awak Kuier & Jose Fernandez (May 12, 2026)
- Dallas Wings Fall 77-72 To Atlanta Dream In Home Opener As Rebounding And Cold Shooting Sink Comeback Bid
- Dallas Wings’ Azzi Fudd Out vs. Atlanta Dream ‘Out Of An Abundance Of Caution,’ Jose Fernandez Says
- ‘Championship Standard’: Dallas Wings, Atlanta Dream Detail Matchup In Sold-Out Home Opener
- Jose Fernandez On Azzi Fudd’s Path To Starting Role: ‘When That Happens, I Think She’ll Be Ready’
- Bueckers, Ogunbowale, Sims Each Score 20 As Wings Edge Fever 107-104 In Season Opener
