The Dallas Wings entered July with a 7‑1 record, having rattled off six straight victories that have propelled them back into playoff contention.
A Bench That Speaks Volumes
Coach Jose Fernandez has turned to his reserves with confidence, and the numbers tell the story: the bench is averaging 23 points per game and contributes 25.5 % of the team’s total scoring, a figure topped only by the Golden State Valkyries in the league.
The starters — Paige Bueckers, Jessica Shepard and Azzi Fudd — have all featured among the league’s top‑15 in minutes per game, but it is the depth that has become the Wings’ secret weapon.
The Unsung Heroes
Odyssey Sims, a reserve guard, has repeatedly reminded teammates that every player matters, not just the starters. “It’s about the collective effort,” she said after a win over Chicago.
Maddy Siegrist and Aziaha James have emerged as the most prolific scorers off the bench, each posting back‑to‑back double‑digit outings. Siegrist’s recent stretch includes a 10‑point, 10‑rebound double‑double that capped a season sweep of the Chicago Sky.
Li Yueru, the 6‑8 center, has become a mainstay in the rotation, logging double‑digit minutes in three of her last four appearances and delivering a decisive double‑double in the final meeting with Chicago. Fernandez praised her ability to handle taller opponents and to space the floor, even as her three‑point shooting sits at a career‑low 26.1 %.
The bench also features Kamilla Cardoso, Sug Sutton and Alanna Smith, each contributing in moments that have swung the momentum in Dallas’s favor.
A Coach’s Philosophy
Fernandez has been vocal about his disdain for media probing into individual minutes or shot attempts, instead emphasizing accountability. After an early‑season loss to Minnesota, he called out the locker room’s “selfishness,” urging players to embrace teamwork over personal statistics.
The Wings’ on‑court identity mirrors that message: when opportunities arise, players step up, and the bench answers the call.