The Dallas Wings closed out their preseason with a statement win, defeating the Las Vegas Aces 101-84 in a historic matchup at the Moody Center in Austin. But with the regular season tipping off May 9 against the Indiana Fever, the real test is just beginning.
After a sloppy first preseason game against the Fever—where turnovers and foul trouble handed Indiana 42 free-throw attempts—the Wings came ready to clean things up. And clean them up they did. Here are five key takeaways from Sunday's impressive victory.
1. Azzi Fudd is finding her rhythm
The No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 WNBA Draft showed exactly why she was the top selection. After a quiet preseason debut (4 points on 2-of-7 shooting), Fudd bounced back in a big way against the Aces, dropping 12 points on 4-of-10 from the field and a solid 3-of-4 from the charity stripe. "I definitely felt a lot more comfortable out there tonight," Fudd said postgame. "Each game is going to get a little bit better." For Wings fans, that's an exciting prospect.
2. Balanced scoring fuels the offense
Five Wings players hit double figures—Paige Bueckers, Azzi Fudd, Aziaha James, Maddy Siegrist, and Alanna Smith—showcasing the kind of depth that could make Dallas a nightmare matchup this season. The team shot an efficient 35-of-71 from the floor and 9-of-20 from deep, moving the ball with purpose. "One thing we've done a really good job of is sharing the basketball," head coach Jose Fernandez said. "We run offense at a great pace and we're tough to defend."
3. Turnovers cleaned up, but fouls remain a concern
The Wings slashed their turnover count from 22 against the Fever to just 13 against the Aces—a massive improvement. However, foul trouble continues to be a sticking point. Dallas committed 27 fouls, sending Vegas to the line 38 times. While the Wings managed 29 free-throw attempts of their own, tightening up defensively without reaching will be a priority heading into the regular season.
4. Aziaha James looks ready for a breakout
A 2025 first-round pick, James averaged 7.5 points in her rookie season. If preseason is any indication, she's poised to shatter that mark in 2026. James poured in a team-high 17 points against the Fever last week and followed it up with another strong performance against the Aces. Her confidence and aggression on both ends of the floor are turning heads.
5. Building momentum for opening night
Going 2-0 in the preseason is nice, but the Wings know the real work starts May 9 in Indianapolis. With a balanced attack, a budding star in Fudd, and a coach who demands discipline, Dallas is shaping up to be a team that could make some serious noise. If they can keep the turnovers low and the fouls in check, the sky's the limit.