The Dallas Wings are finally flying high. After overhauling their roster and weathering early-season growing pains, the team boasts a 17-8 record and finds itself fourth in the standings.
The Wings knocked off the Los Angeles Sparks 90-82 on Sunday, pushing their current win streak to a franchise-record six games and looking nothing like the unit that struggled to find an identity just a year ago.
Paige Bueckers Helping Build a Juggernaut in Dallas
Greg Bibb and the Wings’ front office took some big swings over the past year to build a sustainable winner. They built around Paige Bueckers, brought in veteran forward Jessica Shepard, and used the top overall pick in the 2026 WNBA Draft to select Azzi Fudd.
Thanks to the calculated decisions, the Wings now boast a very deep roster. Dallas has thrived in transition while controlling the glass and suffocating opponents on the perimeter.
ESPN analyst and two-time WNBA All-Star Chiney Ogwumike broke down exactly why Dallas looks unstoppable, pointing to the roster pieces that complement each other well to create a nightmare matchup for the opponents.
“Right now, the Dallas Wings are a true contender,” Ogwumike said. “This is my checklist to make a true contender. First and foremost, you need to have some fresh blood. You need to have an impact rookie.”
Ogwumike highlighted Fudd’s defensive instincts as the real surprise of her rookie campaign. The No. 1 pick leads the Wings in steals and ranks second on the team in blocked shots.
“Once she gets a steal, a three-point shot is a layup to Azzi Fudd, which is wild,” Ogwumike said.
Ogwumike then praised Shepard’s ability to grab a defensive rebound and initiate the fast break.
.@chiney breaks down why the Dallas Wings are true contenders for a WNBA title ✍️ pic.twitter.com/QJIfWw9jHh
— espnW (@espnW) July 19, 2026
“All of the triple-doubles in the WNBA have been by Jess Shepard,” Ogwumike said. “She understands winning ways. When we talk about triple-doubles in the WNBA, it’s Candace Parker, and now you have to put Jess Shepard in that conversation.”
Finally, a championship-caliber team needs a closer.
Bueckers fills that role flawlessly for Dallas. Ogwumike noted that the reigning Rookie of the Year’s shooting percentages actually increase as the pressure mounts and the game progresses into the final minutes.
According to Ogwumike’s statistical breakdown, Bueckers shoots 48% in the first quarter, 52% in the second quarter, and 46% in the third quarter. In the fourth quarter, that number jumps to an absurd 61%.
If the game goes to overtime, Bueckers goes bonkers, connecting on 67% of her attempts.
“That’s the difference this year for Paige Bueckers,” Ogwumike said. “She’s bringing everyone along.”
Against Los Angeles on Sunday, Bueckers scored 9 of her 25 points in the final frame, bringing her league-leading fourth-quarter scoring total to 147.
“So the Dallas Wings, I know last year we were talking about them being worse. Well, guess what? They’ve had a burst of the standings because they checked every box,” Ogwumike concluded.
Catching fire at just the right time, the Wings will look to keep their historic winning streak alive tonight when they host the New York Liberty in the second game of a grueling back-to-back sequence.
