Azzi Fudd (35) of the Dallas Wings, the No. 1 2026 WNBA Draft pick, drives to the basket in her first professional appearance in Austin. Fudd contributed 12 points in the preseason finale. (Photo: Hannah Spagnoletti | The Podium Finish)
AUSTIN, Texas — Connectivity was the keyword for the Dallas Wings as they dismantled the defending champion Las Vegas Aces 101-84 at the Moody Center on Sunday night.
In a high-intensity preseason finale that felt more like a mid-season litmus test, the Wings showcased a blistering offense and a defensive identity that head coach Jose Fernandez has been preaching since the start of training camp. For a Dallas squad integrating several new faces, the double-digit victory served as a significant proof of concept before they head to Indiana for the regular-season opener on May 9.
Leading the charge for Dallas was sophomore sensation Paige Bueckers, who orchestrated the offense with veteran-like precision, finishing with 11 points and nine assists. However, it was the integration of Azzi Fudd and Jessica Shepard that provided the ultimate spark.
Fudd, making her first professional appearance in Austin, looked increasingly comfortable in her second preseason outing. She finished with 12 points, including a pivotal 24-foot 3-pointer in the second quarter that helped Dallas maintain a double-digit cushion.
“I definitely felt a lot more comfortable out there tonight than I did the other night,” Fudd said. “I think each game’s going to get a little bit better, not easier, but just comfortable getting used to the flow, the physicality, who I’m playing against.”
Shepard, who joined the team late following her overseas commitments, proved why she is considered a vital “glue” piece for this roster. Despite only having one practice under her belt before Sunday’s tip-off, Shepard provided six points, five rebounds, and two assists in 16 minutes of action.
Aziaha James (10) has showcased poise and focus for the Dallas Wings with an 18-point effort in a 101-84 win against the Las Vegas Aces. (Photo: Hannah Spagnoletti | The Podium Finish)
Her ability to rebound and immediately push the pace allowed Dallas to transition from defense to offense seamlessly.
“I think the energy is great,” Shepard observed. “When you get to this point in training camp, a lot of times you see that energy kind of drop off. But I think having a young team that’s led by some vets that have a lot of experience, I think the energy has stayed high.”
The game began with a flurry of activity from Maddy Siegrist and Alanna Smith. Smith, who started at center, dominated the early minutes with a pair of 3-pointers, helping Dallas jump out to an early 8-3 lead. Siegrist was equally efficient, shooting 7-of-10 from the floor for 14 points, proving she can be the versatile scoring threat Fernandez has envisioned.
Sophomore Sensation
By the end of the first quarter, the Wings held a 35-20 lead, fueled by a late 3-pointer from Aziaha James. James, whose confidence has noticeably soared following her stint in the Unrivaled league, finished as the game’s high scorer with 18 points on 6-of-13 shooting.
“Just my confidence,” James said of her growth. “I think Unrivaled helped a lot, just playing with those type of girls. Defense was my main focus point for this year. So just getting bigger and being more aggressive has allowed me to move better.”
The Aces, led by A’ja Wilson’s 18 points and Jackie Young’s 16, struggled to find their rhythm against a disciplined Dallas defense. While Las Vegas attempted several runs, the Wings consistently countered with effective communication.
Veteran forward Jessica Shepard (32) provided a “glue” presence with six points and five rebounds. (Photo: Hannah Spagnoletti | The Podium Finish)
Shepard noted that defensive talk was essential for her integration.
“If you’re a great communicating team on defense, it can take you a long way and cover a lot of mistakes,” she said.
Fernandez was particularly pleased with how the team translated film room corrections into live-action results. After a previous win in Indy where he was vocal about defensive intensity, the Wings responded by limiting turnovers in the first half and staying connected through a multitude of screen actions and hand-offs.
“It starts to transform and you see it transforming on the level of how they’re communicating with one another,” Fernandez said. “They’re holding each other accountable and you see how they’re talking and solving problems before I even get into the timeout.”
The second half saw Dallas maintain their composure even as the physicality increased. Fudd noted the adjustment to WNBA officiating, admitting she is still navigating the nuances of the professional game.
“Honestly, I feel more confused,” Fudd quipped about the defensive contact. “I thought you could be physical in the W and anytime you touch someone it’s a foul. So, I’m not really sure whether to be physical… I’m still figuring that out.”
Despite the rookie learning curve, the Wings’ depth was on full display. Fernandez played a total of 16 players, a personal first for the veteran coach. Role players like JJ Quinerly and Amy Okonkwo contributed crucial minutes off the bench, ensuring the intensity never wavered. Okonkwo added eight points in the fourth quarter, including a 26-foot triple that pushed the Dallas lead beyond 20 points.
Chemistry is Everything
By the time the final buzzer sounded in front of the sellout Austin crowd, the Wings had reached the century mark, finishing with 101 points and a 49.3 percent shooting clip from the field.
For Shepard, the chemistry developed in such a short window is an encouraging sign for the long season ahead.
Alysha Clark (7) provided veteran guile and experience for the dynamic Dallas Wings against the reigning WNBA champion Las Vegas Aces. (Photo: Hannah Spagnoletti | The Podium Finish)
“I think chemistry is the biggest factor in this league. Every team is super talented, so it’s which teams can figure it out and play well together,” Shepard said.
The Wings now head into the regular season with a 2-0 preseason record and a roster that seems to be “speaking the same language.” While Fernandez was quick to point out that the team’s pace and spacing are “not even close” to where he wants them yet, the connectivity shown in Austin provides a sturdy foundation.
“Training camp’s over and now you’ve got to get ready for the long season,” Fernandez said. “We’ve played well in two preseason games because I think we’ve practiced really well.”
With the regular-season opener against Indiana looming on Saturday night, the Wings have established themselves as a team whose identity is built on multiple efforts, unselfish play, and a veteran-led accountability that is trickling down to their younger stars.
Dallas, trimming their roster to 12 players on Monday, will finalize their preparations for the trip to Indianapolis. If Sunday night was any indication, the Wings are ready to turn their preseason potential into regular-season reality.
