Dallas Wings proved they are much more than just Paige Bueckers

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May 21, 2026 - 11:32

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Dallas Wings proved they are much more than just Paige Bueckers originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

The Dallas Wings knew drafting Paige Bueckers would change the direction of the franchise. What they may not have expected this quickly is how much better the entire roster would suddenly start looking around her. Wednesday night’s 99-89 road win over the Chicago Sky felt like an important reminder that Dallas is becoming far more dangerous than simply a team built around a superstar rookie.

Yes, Bueckers was outstanding again. But this victory showcased something much bigger for the Wings: balance. And that is what should get the rest of the WNBA paying attention.

Jessica Shepard completely changed the game

The biggest difference-maker Wednesday night was not Bueckers or Arike Ogunbowale. It was Jessica Shepard.

The veteran forward delivered the first triple-double of the WNBA season with 18 points, 12 assists and 10 rebounds while controlling the game in ways that do not always appear in highlight clips. Shepard repeatedly punished Chicago’s defensive rotations, pushed tempo after rebounds and created easy offense for teammates throughout the second half.

Her third quarter completely shifted momentum. Dallas exploded for 34 points in the period while shooting nearly 69 percent from the field, turning an early deficit into full control of the game. Shepard was at the center of almost everything.

That kind of performance changes the conversation around Dallas quickly. Because when the Wings get this version of Shepard alongside Bueckers and Ogunbowale, they suddenly become extremely difficult to scheme against offensively.

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Paige Bueckers already looks completely comfortable

At this point, the most impressive thing about Bueckers may be how normal all of this is starting to feel. The rookie scored 24 points on 11-of-19 shooting and once again looked entirely in control offensively. There is very little rushing to her game right now. She changes pace well, gets to her spots naturally and consistently makes the correct read when defenses collapse.

Most rookies spend the early portion of their first WNBA season adjusting to physicality and pace. Bueckers already looks like someone dictating both.

That has dramatically helped Dallas offensively because it takes pressure off Ogunbowale from having to create every difficult possession herself. Instead of carrying the offense for four quarters, Ogunbowale can now attack selectively — which is exactly what happened late Wednesday night. The four-time All-Star scored 11 of her 23 points in the fourth quarter, including two massive late 3-pointers that erased any hopes of a Chicago comeback.

That partnership is becoming increasingly dangerous.

Dallas suddenly has depth everywhere

The Wings also continue getting meaningful contributions throughout the roster. Azzi Fudd tied her career high with 12 points while knocking down both of her attempts from beyond the arc. Dallas finished with 28 assists as a team and shot 50 percent overall from the field.

More importantly, the Wings looked connected. That matters because earlier expectations around Dallas largely focused on long-term upside. The assumption was that Bueckers’ arrival might accelerate the rebuild eventually, but there would still be growing pains early in the season.

Instead, Dallas already looks far more organized and complete than many expected in May. The Wings can score in transition, play through the halfcourt, attack mismatches inside and suddenly have multiple reliable facilitators creating offense.

That versatility changes their ceiling considerably.

The Wings may be arriving faster than expected

Dallas is now 3-2 and beginning to look like one of the more intriguing teams in the league. There is still room for growth defensively, and consistency will remain a question with such a young core. But the overall structure of this team looks much stronger than it did even a few weeks ago.

Most importantly, the Wings no longer look dependent on one player carrying everything offensively. Bueckers remains the centerpiece, and rightfully so. But Wednesday night showed Dallas might already have something even more important developing around her — a roster capable of hurting opponents from multiple directions.

That is what separates exciting young teams from genuinely dangerous ones.