Dallas Wings coach Jose Fernandez - (WNBA photo)

WNBA Rookie of the Year Paige Bueckers of the Dallas Wings - (WNBA photo)

Dallas Wings 6-4 forward Jessica Shepard - (WNBA Photo) WNBA All-Star Game Starters

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SPORTS NOTES - Wings Flaming Out?

James Loving/National Radio Text Service

Tired legs, internal harmony concerns and a bench that has not been developed has caused and emergence of a depleted Dallas Wings team that this season has turned their sow's ear reputation into a silk purse. The problem is can they achieve again and make the top eight playoff positions? At present, they are in 8th place. - NBA's ALL TIME BEST PLAYERS 1st and 2nd TEAMS

Monday August 17, 2026

Can't Hide the Slide

Recently Yahoo Sports reported that the Dallas Wings were having internal problems. They noted that during their recent poor performances they pointed out that they (then) lost six of seven games since the All-Star break.

It noted that Wings coach Jose Fernandez and star Paige Bueckers had words about the situation.

To paraphrase, the article noted that Fernandez complained to Bueckers that the team should get on each other (to inspire) about their poor performances. She was portrayed as firing back at the coach suggesting that perhaps the coaching staff should take a look at themselves.

Since their slide the Wings are 3-7 in their last 10 games. Two of the wins are over the expansion teams Portland Fire and the Toronto Tempo. Their other win is over a struggling 8-25, Connecticut Sun squad.

When the Wings side is on their game this season they have defeated the defending champs Las Vegas Aces and perennial champions New York Liberty.

After experiencing 9 (2024) and 10 (2025) win seasons the Wings have improved tremendously with first year coach Fernandez at the helm, currently they have 20 wins.

This season the improvement is largely due to the addition of 3-point shooting All Star champion Azzi Fudd who is also the team's steals leader. Currently, Fudd is recovering from a knee injury.

A player who is for the most part responsible with the team's success this season is 6-4 forward Jessica Shepard. Shepard signed on with the team this season following five campaigns with the Minnesota Lynx.

She mainly was used as the back-up to perennial All-star Napheesa Collier. The 29-year-old Notre Dame graduate has had a breakout, career best season averaging 14 points per game and 11.4 rebounds.

Shepard has been in a back-and-forth competition with the Atlanta Dream's Angel Reese as being the league's rebounding leader. Fans have recognized Shepard's skills and contributions by voting her as a starter to her first All-star game. She has missed the past three games with an ankle injury.

In her place is 6-4 forward Alanna Smith. The Stanford University graduate has been sidelined with an injury throughout the first half of the season. Getting her legs in step with the other starters will be an adjustment for timing and rhythm.

Shepard and Smith are both 29. They are born a day apart. Smith, born September 10, 1996 is a day older than Shepard. Smith also played for the LYNX last season. She was a starter during her two seasons with the team. If the two are healthy at the same time the Wings could be a formidable force off the boards.

The caution with the Wings is should they make the playoffs their starting five have been registering massive game playing minutes. Their bench has been used sparingly. That raises the question will the starting team be too pooped to pop at playoff time?