The Dallas Wings (4-3) defeated the New York Liberty (3-3), 91-76 on Sunday at the Barlclays Center in Brooklyn. Azzi Fudd and Paige Bueckers led the Wings with 24 points each, while Satou Sabally paced New York with 20 of her own. Dallas ends a tough road trip against winning teams with a signature victory over one of the WNBA title favorites. The Wings finished three games in five nights at Chicago, Atlanta, and New York, with a 2-1 record. That’s impressive, any way you slice it.

The Wings got punched in the mouth early, as their woefully ineffective starting lineup got boat-raced by the Liberty starters in the first three minutes. An exasperated Jose Fernandez called an early timeout with his team down 11-2 before anyone could blink. Bueckers hit a 3-pointer after that break, helping settle the Wings down and igniting a 7-0 run. Things went back and forth for most of the frame after that, and a late 3-ball from Awak Kuier helped Dallas trim the deficit to 20-17 after one.

The second quarter saw both teams trade blows, with Dallas fighting back every time the Liberty started to grow its advantage. Strong minutes from Kuier, steady play from Bueckers and two-way impact from Jessica Shepard allowed Dallas to stay connected for most of the period. But the Liberty offense was relentless, and the Wings struggled to string together stops as things progressed. It looked like Dallas would head into halftime down double digits, but a mini-heater from Arike Ogunbowale cut into the Liberty’s advantage to 44-43 at the half.

Fernandez made a lineup change to start the third, going with Azzi Fudd and Awak Kuier over Odyssey Sims and Alanna Smith. His gambit worked, as the Wings came out guns blazing. Threes from Kuier, Ogunbowale, and Fudd propelled Dallas in front, and that was just a precursor for what was to come. For the first time in her young career, Azzi Fudd caught fire. The No. 1 overall pick hit five 3-pointers in the quarter and scored 17 points overall, as Dallas took control of the game and built a lead that grew to as many as 15. The Liberty rattled off six straight points to end the frame, though, cutting the Wings’ lead to 71-61 after three.

The Wings continued to cook early in the fourth, as Fudd hit another 3-ball and Bueckers added one of her own. As the quarter progressed, New York ratcheted up its intensity in a desperate attempt to get back in the game, but things turned into a slop fest pretty quickly. The referees took over, and Dallas’ parade to the free-throw line began. That helped the Wings put the game away, getting out of Brooklyn with a 91-76 victory. It was an impressive victory for Dallas, which can now enjoy three days off before returning home to take on Las Vegas on Thursday. Here are three observations from this one.

Azzi Fudd, welcome to the WNBA

After being selected No. 1 overall in the 2026 draft, Fudd had gotten off to a bit of a slow start in her first five career games. Fudd had strung a few strong performances together coming into this one, but all Wings fans have been waiting for her coming-out party. That happened on Sunday, as Fudd was the best player on a court full of All-Stars and All-WNBA players. Her five 3-pointers in the third quarter almost single-handedly swung the game in Dallas’ favor. It was the most fun I’ve had watching basketball in a long time. In addition to her explosion from distance, Fudd played excellent defense, even locking up Breanna Stewart and stripping the ball from her on one possession down the stretch in the fourth quarter. Fudd’s energy, activity, and shooting gravity were the difference in this one. Hopefully, today is the start of great things for the rookie.

It’s time for a starting lineup change

Coming into Sunday’s game, the regular starting lineup of Bueckers/Sims/Ogunbowale/Smith/Shepard had a minus-22.5 net rating in 52 minutes. And though that sample size is still very small, it matches the eye test. That lineup got off to another dreadfully slow start, putting Dallas behind the eight ball early. It was only after Coach Fernandez flipped the switch, benching Sims and Smith for Fudd and Kuier, that the Wings were able to impose their will.

It has become clear that a change needs to be made. Sims and Smith have given this team nothing, and it’s doing everyone a disservice to waste time playing them with the first unit. Maybe a move to the bench will let those two find their games; Smith, especially, needs a complete reset. It’s alarming how poorly Dallas’ max-contract free-agent signing has performed and how thoroughly she’s been outplayed by Kuier. Smith and the Wings need to figure it out.

Defense wins championships

The Wings played sensational defense in the second half of this one, holding the potent Liberty offense to just 32 points. At the center of that was Awak Kuier, who was essentially a one-woman wrecking crew in the paint. Kuier battled against Stewart on the block, was everywhere in help, and altered so many shots at the basket. It was a remarkable performance. Kuier’s length and athleticism just pop off the screen. Apart from Kuier’s efforts, the rest of the team battled and communicated well, forcing the Liberty into tough, contested looks. They didn’t give up many open threes or shots at the rim, forcing New York to operate in the in-between game. It was an excellent game plan and execution combo. This is the kind of defensive effort the team needs to bring night in and night out.