DHJ Quick Take: Jessica Shepard Pulls Off Historic Week<\/p>\n
Jessica Shepard turned a record-setting performance into the first Player of the Week honor of her career and has become the engine of a surging Dallas Wings team. Through June 3, she is the only player in the WNBA averaging at least 10 points, 10 rebounds and 5 assists.<\/p>\n
The Record Night: Shepard posted 22 points, a career-high 20 rebounds and 10 assists in a May 28 win over Las Vegas, becoming the first player in WNBA history with at least 22 points, 20 rebounds and 10 assists in a game.<\/p>\n
Western Conference Honor: The week earned Shepard the first WNBA Western Conference Player of the Week award of her career and the first by a Wings player since July 2023.<\/p>\n
The Do-Everything Hub: Shepard ranks second in the WNBA in rebounding (11.0) and fourth in assists (5.9) through June 3 while initiating much of the Dallas offense.<\/p>\n
Teammate Endorsement: Paige Bueckers, Azzi Fudd and coach Jose Fernandez each pointed to Shepard\u2019s rebounding, passing and defensive versatility behind the Wings\u2019 three-game winning streak.<\/p>\n
LOS ANGELES \u2014 The Dallas Wings<\/a> added Jessica Shepard<\/a> last offseason for stability, a veteran to anchor a rebuilt frontcourt after five seasons with the Minnesota Lynx. Two months in, she has given them considerably more, emerging as one of the WNBA\u2019s most complete players and pushing Dallas to a 6-3 start.<\/p>\n Her first individual honor followed this week, when Shepard was named WNBA Western Conference Player of the Week on June 2 for games played May 25-31, the first of her career and the first by a Wings player since July 2023.<\/p>\n Historic Triple-Double Against Las Vegas<\/p>\n Shepard delivered a statement with 22 points on 8-of-13 shooting, a career-high 20 rebounds and 10 assists in a 95-87 win over the Las Vegas Aces<\/a>, becoming the first player in league history to hit all three marks in a single game. With the Wings going undefeated in the week, she was in a prime position as the week\u2019s top standout.<\/p>\n Shepard\u2019s performance against the Aces was her second triple-double of the season and third of her career. She\u2019s the only player to record a triple-double thus far this season. Her first triple-double of the season was on May against Chicago, an 18-point, 10-rebound, 12-assist night.<\/p>\n Afterward, Shepard credited her teammates, which enabled her to make the most of her impact as a natural connector.<\/p>\n \u201cFor me, I think I\u2019m just a player that likes to play basketball the right way,\u201d Shepard said. \u201cWhen you\u2019re surrounded by players who are really smart and like to play basketball the right way as well, it makes it really easy for me.\u201d<\/p>\n The shooting around her, she said, is vital by pulling defenders out of the paint and leaving her room to operate inside.<\/p>\n \u201cWhen you have great scorers on the perimeter, it opens up one-on-one matchups in the post, which allows you to get easier baskets,\u201d Shepard said.<\/p>\n None of it surprised anyone inside the building, where Jose Fernandez had forecast multiple triple-doubles back in training camp, pointing to what Shepard had flashed in Minnesota.<\/p>\n \u201cShe had a triple-double with Minnesota last year, and I think she can get multiple of those in a season,\u201d Fernandez said then. \u201cI\u2019m really excited for her, I think this is a great place for her.\u201d<\/p>\n The Dallas Wings\u2019 Do-Everything Hub<\/p>\n Shepard ranks second in the WNBA in rebounding at 11.0 per game and fourth in assists at 5.9 through June 3, and is averaging 12.6 points per game. She is the only player in the league averaging at least 10 points, 10 rebounds and 5 assists.<\/p>\n Fernandez has leaned on her to start the offense by being aggressive on the boards and pushing on the break.<\/p>\n \u201cI think it\u2019s her court vision and being able to handle the ball, get it off the glass, and initiate offense,\u201d Fernandez said. \u201cShe had a great month.\u201d<\/p>\n For Paige Bueckers<\/a>, having a facilitating big changes how she plays off the ball. Between her rebounding and defensive versatility, Bueckers has a strong appreciation for Shepard\u2019s impact. <\/p>\n \u201cI think rebounding is a really underrated aspect of basketball in terms of winning and how much that drives winning,\u201d Bueckers said. \u201cShe has great court vision and IQ. Her ability to score in the paint and get to the rim at will. She creates so much for us. Defensively, she can guard one through five.\u201d<\/p>\n Bueckers said the arrangement lets her attack without having to bring the ball up the court every play. Shepard\u2019s direction and decision-making help early in the shot clock by alleviating pressure, while also serving as an option to turn to when a play stagnates. <\/p>\n \u201cI don\u2019t have to bring the ball up every single time when you have her,\u201d Bueckers said. \u201cHaving her is very reassuring, and it gives you a lot of confidence in the half court.\u201d<\/p>\n Azzi Fudd<\/a> pointed to Shepard\u2019s motor as a key driver of winning for the Wings. The combination of screening and passing savvy that Shepard brings opens the game up for perimeter threats to have an advantage on the catch to exploit. <\/p>\n \u201cHer intensity. Just how hard she plays on both ends of the floor,\u201d Fudd said. \u201cShe\u2019s physical. She gets every single rebound offensively and defensively. The way she passes, screens, her court vision, just everything.\u201d<\/p>\n