Wings clinch final WNBA playoff spot
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- Dallas Wings clinched the eighth and final WNBA playoff spot with a 96-78 victory over the Portland Fire, improving to 23-16 in coach Jose Fernandez's debut season
- Paige Bueckers recorded 22 points and 11 assists in the playoff-clinching game, reaching the postseason for the first time since being drafted No. 1 in 2025
- Jessica Shepard, a free-agent addition, posted 21 points, nine rebounds and six assists in her career-best season, helping transform the Wings’ performance
- Azzi Fudd, the other No. 1 pick who averaged 13.1 points in 30 games, is out for the remainder of the season due to an arthroscopic knee procedure
- Awak Kuier, the 2021 No. 2 overall pick, returned from two seasons overseas to contribute 12 points, 12 rebounds and five blocks in the clincher
- Jose Fernandez noted the team has adapted its play following Fudd’s injury, calling her absence significant on defense and floor spacing despite the recent three-game winning streak
Why it matters: The Wings’ return to the playoffs after missing the last two seasons reflects a material rebuild around young talent, with four key draft picks—Bueckers, Fudd, Kuier, and Ogunbowale—now forming the core just as the postseason field locks in. The timing shifts competitive pressure to mid-tier teams still vying for seeding before the World Cup break.
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