Kuier played well in the statement win. The Liberty were short-handed without Betnijah Laney-Hamilton and Leonie Fiebich, but still had their big four of Breanna Stewart, Jonquel Jones, Sabrina Ionescu, and Satou Sabally available.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Kuier was completely unfazed by the Liberty\u2019s star-studded collection of big forwards. She recorded 10 points, 6 rebounds, 1 assist, and 2 blocks. She was +17 in a season-high 24 minutes on the court.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Kuier\u2019s growth as a 3-point shooter is one of her most impressive developments. She only made nine 3-pointers in all of her first three seasons with the Wings. This year, she\u2019s already 5-10. At 6\u20196\u201d and with her athleticism, adding a serviceable 3-point shot makes Kuier a lethal asset to have for the Wings.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Smith, meanwhile, has struggled to start the season<\/a>. She\u2019s currently averaging 3.7 points on 33.3% shooting from the field, 3.4 rebounds, 2 assists, 1.1 steals, and 0.6 blocks per game. Considering that Smith is signed to a max contract and was one of the Wings\u2019 prized free agency additions, it\u2019s difficult to imagine that Fernandez will replace her in the starting lineup long-term, but some compelling lineup data brings up uncomfortable questions about Smith\u2019s fit with this team.\u00a0<\/p>\n Early lineup data proves Awak Kuier\u2019s positive impact May 14, 2026; Arlington, Texas, USA; Dallas Wings forward Alanna Smith (8) looks on during the game between the Wings and the Lynx at College Park Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images | Jerome Miron-Imagn Images<\/p>\n Seven games are a small sample size. But the numbers still speak volumes\u2014and they don\u2019t have a ton of good stuff to say about some of the Wings\u2019 big free agency gets. The Wings\u2019 most-used lineup, according to the WNBA\u2019s stat page, so far is their initial starting lineup of Odyssey Sims, Arike Ogunbowale, Paige Bueckers, Jessica Shepard, and Alanna Smith. That lineup is -31 over 56 total minutes.\u00a0<\/p>\n That same group with Kuier in Smith\u2019s place has only played seven minutes so far, but it is +2 in that time. When Fernandez replaces Sims with Azzi Fudd, like he did to start the second half<\/a> against the Liberty, the lineup becomes very effective. Ogunbowale, Fudd, Bueckers, Shepard, and Kuier are +18 in 27 minutes so far.\u00a0<\/p>\n It\u2019s still early in the season, so Smith still has plenty of time to return to her 2024 and 2025 form, when she was an irreplaceable asset for a Minnesota Lynx team that was considered a championship contender in both seasons. However, if she continues to struggle and Kuier plays well going forward, Fernandez may have to make a tough decision about her role on the team.<\/p>\n![\"Alanna](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/01ksfhqbt3hhf93hdw0s.jpg\" "\\"Alanna")
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