Despite a 15-point victory against the Indiana Fever in the preseason, Dallas Wings head coach Jose Fernandez was not satisfied, particularly with the team's defense.

The Wings committed 22 turnovers that led to 21 points in Indiana's Favour, and sent them to a line 42 times. Fernandez obviously wants this stat to drop massively and mainly focus on defending without creating unnecessary foul chances.

“Forty-two free throws, that doesn’t feel good. But I thought our top eight or nine players did a good job, and we were able to build a lead... This league is too good to just outscore people. You’ve got to get stops and defend without fouling. Even with a quick turnaround, those are things we have to fix before May 9.” Fernandez told reporters postgame.

Apart from cleaning up the defense, Fernandez also talked about managing the minutes of star players Paige Bueckers, Alanna Smith, and No.1 overall pick Azzi Fudd, all of whom played under 20 minutes.

Bueckers, the reigning Rookie of the Year, was the star of the show, scoring 20 points on 8-for-12 shooting from the field and 4-for-6 from beyond the arc. She wrapped up her game before halftime.

On the other hand, Fudd did not enjoy her debut game with the Wings, accumulating 3 fouls in 16 minutes. She was also out of her usual scoring touch, finishing with just four points on 2-for-7 shooting and 0-for-2 from outside the arc.

“That I’m going to stop fouling,” Fudd told Dallas Hoops Journal when asked her main takeaway from the night.

Meanwhile, a surprise inclusion in the top performers of the game was Maddy Seigrist, who put together an 18-point, 11-rebound double-double that included a one-legged jumper in the paint and a steady diet of off-ball cuts.

Safe to say, Fernandez and his players have work to do before the main event starts.

What's Next for Jose Fernandez and the Dallas Wings?

The Wings face their biggest challenge of the preseason on Sunday against the reigning champions, the Las Vegas Aces. Four-time MVP A'ja Wilson had already committed to participating in the preseason, but the Wings have their work cut out for them apart from her.

The Aces signed Chennedy Carter on a training camp contract, who put on a show against Japan with 18 points, 5 rebounds, and 2 assists.

Fernandez will have to make sure that Paige Bueckers and Co. are extra careful off possession, or they might be seeing a similar turnover stat line from their game against the Fever.

After the preseason, the Wings will make a trip back to Gainbridge Fieldhouse to face the Indiana Fever on the opening night of the WNBA season on May 8.

So, do you think the Wings will be able to fix the issues that Fernandez mentioned before taking on the Fever next time?

Despite a 15-point victory against the Indiana Fever in the preseason, Dallas Wings head coach Jose Fernandez was not satisfied, particularly with the team's defense.

The Wings committed 22 turnovers that led to 21 points in Indiana's Favour, and sent them to a line 42 times. Fernandez obviously wants this stat to drop massively and mainly focus on defending without creating unnecessary foul chances.

“Forty-two free throws, that doesn’t feel good. But I thought our top eight or nine players did a good job, and we were able to build a lead... This league is too good to just outscore people. You’ve got to get stops and defend without fouling. Even with a quick turnaround, those are things we have to fix before May 9.” Fernandez told reporters postgame.

Apart from cleaning up the defense, Fernandez also talked about managing the minutes of star players Paige Bueckers, Alanna Smith, and No.1 overall pick Azzi Fudd, all of whom played under 20 minutes.

Bueckers, the reigning Rookie of the Year, was the star of the show, scoring 20 points on 8-for-12 shooting from the field and 4-for-6 from beyond the arc. She wrapped up her game before halftime.

On the other hand, Fudd did not enjoy her debut game with the Wings, accumulating 3 fouls in 16 minutes. She was also out of her usual scoring touch, finishing with just four points on 2-for-7 shooting and 0-for-2 from outside the arc.

“That I’m going to stop fouling,” Fudd told Dallas Hoops Journal when asked her main takeaway from the night.

Meanwhile, a surprise inclusion in the top performers of the game was Maddy Seigrist, who put together an 18-point, 11-rebound double-double that included a one-legged jumper in the paint and a steady diet of off-ball cuts.

Safe to say, Fernandez and his players have work to do before the main event starts.

What's Next for Jose Fernandez and the Dallas Wings?

The Wings face their biggest challenge of the preseason on Sunday against the reigning champions, the Las Vegas Aces. Four-time MVP A'ja Wilson had already committed to participating in the preseason, but the Wings have their work cut out for them apart from her.

The Aces signed Chennedy Carter on a training camp contract, who put on a show against Japan with 18 points, 5 rebounds, and 2 assists.

Fernandez will have to make sure that Paige Bueckers and Co. are extra careful off possession, or they might be seeing a similar turnover stat line from their game against the Fever.

After the preseason, the Wings will make a trip back to Gainbridge Fieldhouse to face the Indiana Fever on the opening night of the WNBA season on May 8.

So, do you think the Wings will be able to fix the issues that Fernandez mentioned before taking on the Fever next time?

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Written by

Joy Bassy

Edited by

Souvik Roy