INDIANAPOLIS — The Dallas Wings will remain without three rotation players Friday against the Indiana Fever, but two of them took another step toward returning.
Head coach José Fernández said Azzi Fudd and Jessica Shepard both went through work during Friday’s shootaround at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Neither will play against Indiana.
Aziaha James did not travel with Dallas for its two-game road trip.
Fudd is out with a right knee injury, Shepard with a right ankle injury, and James with a lower left leg injury.
“Shepard went through some things today at shootaround,” Fernández said. “I mean, she’s continuing to recover from that ankle injury. Azzi went through shootaround today and her matrix, so she’s progressing as well.
“As this road trip continues and we get back — Indiana at home — we’ll see how our medical team and our strength and conditioning folks continue to evaluate Azzi in her return-to-play protocol. And Aziaha is not on this trip, so we’ll have an update from her when we return.” Fernández continued.
Tip-off against the Fever is set for 6:30 p.m. CT on ION.
Azzi Fudd Continues Return-To-Play Work With Dallas Wings
Friday will be the fourth straight game Fudd has missed. Her last appearance came Aug. 5 against the Washington Mystics. Fudd went through warmups before Dallas’ Aug. 7 home game against the Golden State Valkyries, but right knee soreness kept her out that night.
She also missed the Aug. 9 loss at the Minnesota Lynx and Wednesday’s 94-88 win over the Toronto Tempo.
Fudd has appeared in 30 games with 24 starts this season, averaging 13.1 points, 1.7 rebounds and 1.8 assists. She is shooting 45.6% from the field and 39.7% from 3-point range.
With several offensive pieces unavailable, Fernández said Dallas has had to look more closely at personnel and matchups.
“I think you’ve got to look at your roster and your personnel and what each individual does well, and making sure — you really have to hunt matchups more, and really look at, positionally, the best rotations and what you’re going to run with them and how you’re going to play defensively, and make those adjustments,” Fernández explained.
Jessica Shepard, Aziaha James Both Go Down In Four-Day Stretch
Shepard injured her right ankle during Sunday’s 103-90 loss at Minnesota. Wednesday was the first game she has missed this season after starting Dallas’ first 33. Shepard is averaging 14.2 points, 11.4 rebounds and 5.2 assists while shooting 58.6% from the field.
James was injured three days later during the win over Toronto. She went down between the third and fourth quarters while trying to take a charge.
Dallas ruled James out for the rest of the game, and she was added to the status report Thursday. James has appeared in 33 games this season, averaging 6.2 points, 2.4 rebounds and 1.2 assists.
Unlike Fudd and Shepard, James is not with the team in Indianapolis. Dallas also plays at Golden State on Monday before returning home.
Fernández said the Wings expect to have another update on James once they return from the trip.
Christyn Williams Gives Dallas Wings Another Perimeter Option
Dallas added another guard Friday, signing Christyn Williams to a Developmental Contract. Williams spent the offseason with the Greensboro Groove of the UPSHOT League.
Washington selected Williams 14th overall in the 2022 WNBA Draft, and she appeared in 3 games for Dallas last season. She averaged 5.0 points, 1.3 rebounds and 1.0 assists in those appearances.
Fernández coached against Williams during her four seasons at UConn. She is expected to meet the Wings in San Francisco.
“Well, it’s still very early. As you know, it’s a development spot, right?” Fernández said. “Coached against Christyn when she was at UConn, so she plans on meeting us out in San Francisco.
“And with the timeline of Azzi and James coming back, and when she’s going to come back, Christyn coming in gives us another option of a perimeter player that can get downhill and also shoot it.” Fernández continued.
Alanna Smith, Alysha Clark Take On More For Dallas Wings
Alanna Smith played 33 minutes with Shepard unavailable Wednesday and finished with 13 points, 11 rebounds and 4 assists on 5-of-7 shooting. She also had 21 points and 11 rebounds against Washington on Aug. 5.
Smith has frequently dealt with injuries this season and previously wore a protective mask frequently. Fernández said keeping her on the floor will matter against Indiana.
“I think it’s been a tough year. She’ll tell you that, just with the injuries that she’s had, and then wearing the mask and that affecting her vision,” Fernández said. “But I think she’s getting more and more comfortable not only facing the basket, but also defending.
“We’re going to need her down the stretch to continue what she’s been doing. Tonight will be very important for her to stay out of foul trouble, because we’re going to need her to play a lot of minutes.” Fernández continued.
Alysha Clark was questionable Wednesday because of a back injury but was no longer listed on Friday’s status report. Clark is a three-time WNBA champion and two-time All-Defensive selection. Fernández said Dallas will need her defensive presence against Indiana.
“She’s a veteran. She knows how to win, and she understands what it takes to win,” Fernández said. “Especially with — there’s a big reason why we brought her in. She’s been great in the locker room, and she’s really embraced her role.
“But it’s great to have someone like AC that can play out on the perimeter and also, depending on who we’re playing, at that four spot. So she takes care of her body. She’s always staying ready. And we’re going to need her defensive presence today as well.” Fernández continued.
Dallas enters Friday at 20-14 and fourth in the Western Conference. Indiana is 21-12 and second in the Eastern Conference.
The Wings won the first meeting between the teams 107-104 at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on May 9. Indiana leads the all-time series 41-37.
Dallas plays at Golden State on Monday at 9 p.m. CT, then returns home to face Indiana on Aug. 20 at 7 p.m. CT.
