Awak Kuier of Umana Reyer Venice during the Women s Euro Cup Semi-Final between London Lions Women v Umana Reyer Venice at the Copper Box Arena, London, United Kingdom on 12 March 2024. Copyright: xPhilxHutchinsonx 40060084
Awak Kuier of Umana Reyer Venice during the Women s Euro Cup Semi-Final between London Lions Women v Umana Reyer Venice at the Copper Box Arena, London, United Kingdom on 12 March 2024. Copyright: xPhilxHutchinsonx 40060084
With Azzi Fudd sidelined for the rest of the season after right knee surgery, Awak Kuier has taken on a much bigger role in the Dallas Wings' frontcourt.
On Thursday night's game against the Fever, she turned that opportunity into a piece of franchise history.
In front of an audience of more than 20,000 at American Airlines Center, Kuier blocked seven shots just a day after turning 25, breaking the Wings' single-game record.
"I was ready, and I wanted to prove a point that I can play here," Kuier told ESPN's Alexis K. Davis after the win.
January 14, 2026, Girona, Spain: Ainhoa Lopez of Spar Girona and Awak Kuier of Galatasaray Cagdas Faktoring in action during match of the EuroLeague Women Basketball regular season second round on group E, between Spar Girona ESP and Galatasaray Cagdas Faktoring TUR at Fontajau Pavilion Girona Spain - ZUMAs197 20260114_aaa_s197_617 Copyright: xDavidxPastorxAndresx
January 14, 2026, Girona, Spain: Ainhoa Lopez of Spar Girona and Awak Kuier of Galatasaray Cagdas Faktoring in action during match of the EuroLeague Women Basketball regular season second round on group E, between Spar Girona ESP and Galatasaray Cagdas Faktoring TUR at Fontajau Pavilion Girona Spain - ZUMAs197 20260114_aaa_s197_617 Copyright: xDavidxPastorxAndresx
Kuier finished with 11 points, eight rebounds, four assists, and a steal on 4-of-8 shooting in a career-high 35 minutes, but the blocks were the story.
She had five of them by halftime — the first player in Wings history to reach that mark in a single half. The old single-game record of five had stood since 2018 and had only been matched once, by Kuier herself back in 2021.
It contributed to Dallas' 91-85 victory over the Fever, allowing them to take the season series 2-1.
Whenever Indiana stars like Caitlin Clark, Kelsey Mitchell, or Aliyah Boston tried to drive into the lane, Kuier was right there to leap into the air and swat the ball away.
According to ESPN Insights, the Fever shot a miserable 2-for-14 when Kuier was the contesting defender.
Indiana coach Stephanie White noticed it, too.
“And then for us, I mean, Awak, she kept us from scoring in the paint. I don't know how many blocks she ended up with, but I think she had five in the first half," White said after the game, per the Indiana Fever official YouTube channel.
Kuier may have owned the defense, but Dallas did not win the game because of one player.
The rest of the Wings showed up, too
Arike Ogunbowale scored a season-high 32 points and made history by crossing 5,000 career points. She became the third-fastest player in WNBA history to reach 5,000 points and 1,000 assists.
Forward Jessica Shepard added a career-high 26 points, scoring 22 in the first half on 10-of-11 shooting. It made her the first player in Wings history to hit 10 or more shots on 90%-plus shooting in a single half.
Rookie Paige Bueckers kept the offense moving with 13 points and eight assists.
Indiana got a game-high 37 points from Kelsey Mitchell, who set a WNBA record with her 21st straight 20-point game.
However, Dallas locked down superstar Caitlin Clark, holding her to just 10 points on 4-of-15 shooting.
Written by
Md Saife Fida