Getting over the previous heartbreaks, the Dallas Wings finally managed to pull off a 91-85 revenge win over the Indiana Fever. And it's all thanks to HC Jose Fernandez’s new lineup.

“We were really good in transition,” the coach said during the postgame availability, per a clip posted by the Wings’ YouTube channel. “I thought our length was really good… And I think we can defend pick-and-roll situations a lot differently in the slot and on the side.”

If Fernandez was the magician, Wings star Awak Kuier was the magic. In the absence of their best perimeter guard, Azzi Fudd, the coach started Kuier on the wing. The 6’6 forward lurked under the rim, defended the perimeter and constantly disrupted the Fever’s shot-making.

Her versatility and athleticism lasted for a full 36 minutes, during which she recorded 11 points, 8 rebounds, 4 assists, 1 steal and 7 staggering blocks.

She freed Jessica Shepard and Alanna Smith from defensive duties, let Arike Ogunbowale take up on scoring and allowed the team to switch freely across the lineup. And Fernandez took notes.

“Now we can switch one through three, and we can switch three through five,” the coach agreed. “I wish we had two or three more practices with it. But it's a quick turnaround, and we got one to get ready for Seattle.”

After such impressive play, direct praise from the coach was inevitable.

Jose Fernandez Praised Awak Kuier

This marked Kuier’s 19^th start of the season after averaging 5.7 points, 3.4 rebounds and 1.0 assists. Replacing Fudd will not be easy, as she will be sidelined for the remainder of the season due to an arthroscopic procedure. But Kuier has the perfect kind of talent that the Wings need.

“I thought she was amazing tonight,” the coach added to the same segment. “She's the all-time leader in blocks for the franchise. Her athleticism and her versatility coming off her playing at the wing caused a lot of disruption and the blocks.

“The other ones that she didn't get, she contested a lot of shots,” he concluded.

Hopefully, Dallas will polish this new lineup before they take on the Seattle Storm on August 23. They already sit in 8^th position for the playoff berth. If things go right, they should be fine despite Fudd's absence.

Do you agree? Let us know in the comments.

Follow Her Sports Nation for more.

Written by

Deblina Roy