DALLAS — For much of this season, the Dallas Wings have been searching for consistency on the defensive end. Thursday night against the Indiana Fever, Awak Kuier gave them exactly what they needed.
Kuier was everywhere in the Wings’ 91-85 win over the Fever at American Airlines Center, making an impact that extended outside the box score. She finished with 11 points, 8 rebounds and 4 assists while shooting 4-for-8 from the field, but it was her defense that made her presence impossible to miss.
Kuier blocked a franchise-record 7 shots, breaking the previous record of 5. She had previously matched the record earlier in her career, but against the Fever she blew past it, recording 5 blocks in just the first half before finishing with 7.
Her impact was felt from the opening quarter. Kuier consistently provided help on drives, coming from the weakside to help protect the paint when Indiana’s guards were able to get around their initial defender. Whenever the Fever were able to get into the paint, Kuier was often there waiting.
“I feel like I needed to be there and help in the paint,” Kuier said. “They have really good drivers, so I just made sure that I was there on time.”
That timing became one of the biggest differences for Dallas throughout the night.
Awak Kuier Breaks Dallas Wings Blocks Record
Kuier entered halftime with five blocks, becoming the first player in Wings history to reach that number in a single half. But Wings head coach José Fernández said even the shots she didn’t block were affected by her presence. Indiana had to think twice about attacking the paint knowing Kuier was lurking, and that helped Dallas hold the Fever to just 28 points in the paint.
It was a stark change from the first two meetings between the teams, where Indiana outscored Dallas 112-80 in the paint across both games.
“She was amazing,” Fernández said. “Her athleticism and her versatility coming from her playing on the wing caused a lot of disruption.”
Kuier’s impact wasn’t just limited to standing around the rim. Her ability to move her feet and defend multiple positions allowed the Wings to be more versatile with their defensive schemes.
Fernández pointed to her ability to switch and use her length as one of the reasons the new lineup Dallas used Thursday night could work, as they are able to switch 1-3 and 3-5 with Kuier on the floor.
And offensively, Kuier gave the Wings another piece to work with.
She knocked down a three in the second quarter that gave Dallas its first lead of the game, while also making several smart passes to finish with 4 assists.
By the third quarter, Kuier had already reached 11 points, 5 rebounds, 3 assists and 6 blocks. She wouldn’t score again, but her defensive impact continued through the final quarter as the Wings maintained control of the game.
Awak Kuier’s Defensive Impact Keeps Growing
Kuier has quietly been building her defensive reputation throughout the season. Earlier this month, she became the Wings’ all-time franchise leader in blocks when she surpassed Teaira McCowan. Thursday night, she added another piece of history to her resume.
But the significance of her seven-block night went beyond another franchise record. The Wings have needed a defensive anchor all season. They’ve needed someone capable of protecting the rim, helping teammates when they get beat and creating problems for opposing offenses, and against Indiana, Kuier was that player.
With Dallas still trying to solidify its spot in the playoff race, her emergence as a defensive presence could be one of the most important developments of the Wings’ final stretch.
