It was an overall frustrating night for the Dallas Wings after having a 20-point lead with 3:11 to go in the third quarter against the Washington Mystics and blowing it.
The Mystics went on a 40-16 run the rest of the game after that to take a 96-92 win over the Wings. Washington starter Shakira Austin led the way with 27 points in the game.
For Dallas, Jessica Shepard led with 22 points and 11 rebounds. Wings star Paige Bueckers had 17 points in 37 minutes, but scored only 2 in the final quarter. This led to some tough questions for Wings head coach Jose Fernandez after the game about Bueckers.
Dallas Wings Coach Takes on Paige Bueckers Question
After the game, a reporter asked Fernandez about Bueckers’ minutes and being worried about overplaying her with the FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup starting next month. The Wings head coach did not understand the question at first.
“I don’t know. Sonia played 36:32. Shakira played 36:07.”
The reporter once again clarified that Bueckers would be playing in the World Cup and some WNBA teams are reducing minutes for those going. Fernandez would not change his stance on it.
“Berlin’s at the end of the month. September 1st.”
Before answering the next question, Fernandez had the final word on the subject.
“Does he know that Paige is going to Berlin yet?”
Jose Fernandez with another classic Jose quote, when a colleague was suggesting for Paige Bueckers to have less minutes with the FIBA Women’s World Cup coming up. #WNBA
Video of that to come.
While it was not confirmed at the time, the announcement came Thursday morning that Bueckers would be on Team USA for the World Cup. The World Cup takes place from September 4 through September 13.
That is a trend among WNBA teams right now, with players going to the World Cup. They have slowly started reducing minutes for those players.
Paige Bueckers’ Minutes May Not Be Touched With Wings for Now
It appears as though Fernandez wants to keep playing his star player for more minutes. With the latest announcement, it could change things for the Wings moving forward.
Bueckers is currently averaging 33.5 minutes per game this season. She is also averaging 20.1 points, 5.9 assists, and 4.2 rebounds per contest in 29 appearances.
The loss to the Mystics was a tough one, dropping the Wings to 19-12 on the season. They have now fallen behind the Atlanta Dream and Indiana Fever in the standings.
After losing four of the last six games, the Wings now have an uphill battle on their hands. Their next game is on Friday, when they will take on the Golden State Valkyries. Another loss could put the Wings in danger of making any kind of run in the playoffs.
Dallas Wings Coach Fired Back on Paige Bueckers Question