HARTFORD, CT - JULY 02: Paige Bueckers 5 of the Dallas Wings and Jessica Shepard 32 of the Dallas Wings look on from the bench during the WNBA, Basketball Damen, USA game between Dallas Wings and Connecticut Sun on July 2, 2026, at PeoplesBank Arena in Hartford, CT. Photo by M. Anthony Nesmith/Icon Sportswire WNBA: JUL 02 Dallas Wings at Connecticut Sun EDITORIAL USE ONLY Icon26070272
HARTFORD, CT - JULY 02: Paige Bueckers 5 of the Dallas Wings and Jessica Shepard 32 of the Dallas Wings look on from the bench during the WNBA, Basketball Damen, USA game between Dallas Wings and Connecticut Sun on July 2, 2026, at PeoplesBank Arena in Hartford, CT. Photo by M. Anthony Nesmith/Icon Sportswire WNBA: JUL 02 Dallas Wings at Connecticut Sun EDITORIAL USE ONLY Icon26070272
A great basketball player and, more so, a better human being. Paige Bueckers couldn’t praise her teammate, Jessica Shepard, after her sensational performance against the Seattle Storm.
This has been Shepard’s breakthrough season, and she couldn’t have had a better finish to the regular season. She has been instrumental in Dallas’ single-season turnaround, and Bueckers acknowledged that.
“She's just a hub for us offensively. We can play through her. She just plays winning basketball," Bueckers said after their latest win. “If she's putting the ball in the basket, she rebounds. She passes the ball. She pushes in transition for us.”
July 2, 2026, Hartford, Connecticut, USA: L-R Dallas Wings guards Azzi Fudd 35, Paige Bueckers 5, center Li Yueru 28 and forward Jessica Shepard 32 on the court during the game against the Connecticut Sun at PeoplesBank Arena. Hartford USA - ZUMAw109 20260702_fap_w109_075 Copyright: xDebbyxWongx
July 2, 2026, Hartford, Connecticut, USA: L-R Dallas Wings guards Azzi Fudd 35, Paige Bueckers 5, center Li Yueru 28 and forward Jessica Shepard 32 on the court during the game against the Connecticut Sun at PeoplesBank Arena. Hartford USA - ZUMAw109 20260702_fap_w109_075 Copyright: xDebbyxWongx
Against Seattle, Jessica Shepard had 20 points, 11 rebounds, and 12 assists for her WNBA-leading sixth triple-double of the season.
The first-time All-Star has turned into a triple-double machine. With her sixth, Shepard moved past career WNBA leader Alyssa Thomas of Phoenix.
Shepard’s inclusion in the Dallas squad brings more than just the numbers. The 30-year-old is a leader in the locker room, and Bueckers knows the value she brings.
"And then she's just a leader and even better human being than she is a basketball player," Bueckers added, as shown in USA Sports' X post. "I'm so happy to play with her and be on the same team as her and have her as weapon for us."
With the playoffs next, Shepard’s role will be even more crucial. The Wings have been in sensational form, winning seven of their last eight games.
Finishing the regular season 27-17, the Dallas have locked in the No. 7 seed.
Shepard pointed out that late-game defense secured the win against Seattle.
Shepard credits late-game defense
With the Wings leading 90-71 with 6:55 left, the Storm made a final push. However, the incredible late defense by Dallas halted a comeback.
“I think it was a great response,” Shepard said, as reported by Dallas Sports Journal's Grant Afseth. “I mean, just flying around for each other, covering, and then obviously we didn’t do a great job finishing with box outs, but at the end when it mattered, we did.”
In fact, Seattle outscored Dallas 18-9 in second-chance points Wednesday.
The late three-pointer from Bueckers and the free throw Maddy Siegrist made in the final moments were crucial in holding off the Storm.
Shepard also pointed out Awak Kuier’s role, who covered for the team with four rebounds, three blocks, and two steals.
Written by
Avishek Sarkar