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DHJ Quick Take: Alanna Smith Adjusts to Dallas The "Home Run" Addition: Curt Miller was clear: landing Alanna Smith and Jessica Shepard was the "home run" that defined the Wings' offseason. By securing the 2025 WNBA co-Defensive Player of the Year in free agency, Dallas effectively built a defensive wall...

DHJ Quick Take: The Logistical Grind The Staggered Return: The Wings’ 2026 season officially hits high gear soon. Dulcy Fankam Mendjiadeu (fresh off a Serbian Championship) returns Saturday, while Arike Ogunbowale—following her Game 5 in China—is expected Monday. Jessica Shepard’s arrival hinges on Thursday’s Italian Serie A1 result: a Schio...

DHJ Quick Take: The Preseason Lens The Fudd-Bueckers Debut: The April 30 matchup at Gainbridge Fieldhouse against the Indiana Fever is effectively the "Opening Night" for the Wings' new era. Seeing Azzi Fudd and Paige Bueckers share a backcourt against Caitlin Clark—the league’s most potent ratings driver—is a calculated move...

DHJ Quick Take: The Mental Reset The Thursday Read: Jose Fernandez is less interested in physical rest and more in "mental retention." By framing Thursday (Day 5) as the true test, he is challenging the 15-player active group to prove that the on-court reps and defensive principles instilled over the...

DHJ Quick Take: Dallas Wings Draw Ratings Gravity The "Fab Four" Matchups: The three-game series against the Indiana Fever is the crown jewel of the 2026 broadcast calendar. By pitting the last four No. 1 overall picks—Aliyah Boston, Caitlin Clark, Paige Bueckers, and Azzi Fudd—against each other on ABC, ION,...

DHJ Quick Take: The Viewing Evolution Local Dominance: The return of KFAA 29 as the exclusive local home is a massive win for accessibility. By reaching 6.3 million households across 12 markets, the Wings are ensuring that the start of the Paige Bueckers and Azzi Fudd era is available for...

DHJ Quick Take: The Numbers Game The 12+2 Expansion: Under the new WNBA collective bargaining agreement (CBA), Dallas now has more flexibility with 12 guaranteed spots plus two developmental slots. This "14-player ceiling" is a lifeline for younger prospects, who might have been cut in previous years but now offer...

DHJ Quick Take: Dallas Wings Put in 'Very Good Day' The Leadership Standard: Jose Fernandez made it clear that "no one should ever question your effort as a pro." By highlighting Paige Bueckers' habit of being the first in the building for treatment and the last to leave the floor,...

DHJ Quick Take: The Professional Standard The Global Game: Li Yueru noting that Fernandez’s "European influence" makes her more comfortable is a win for Dallas' frontcourt fluidity. Her focus on extending her range and building two-man game chemistry with Azzi Fudd suggests the Wings will utilize more high-post facilitation than...

DHJ Quick Take: Tactical Tape Study The Defensive Blueprint: The video of the "X-out" and "top-locking" drills confirms Jose Fernandez’s move toward a disruptive, high-pressure scheme. By prioritizing "fighting over" screens rather than switching screens, the Wings are attempting to avoid giving mismatches. Frontcourt Mobility: The positional work emphasizes the rim-running and elbow...