Alanna Smith, Aziaha James ‘Progressing Well’ Before Fever Matchup
DHJ Quick Take: Monitoring the Final Countdown
- The Long View on Alanna: Jose Fernandez is taking part in it near the vest concerning Alanna Smith. While “on schedule” is a optimistic phrase, the emphasis on the “long season” suggests the medical workers is prioritizing their long-term security over the Week 1 highlight. If Smith is not cleared for the contact required to battle Aliyah Bostonsearch for Jessica Shepard to shoulder much more defensive duty within the paint.
- The Aziaha James Spark: Seeing Aziaha James again in drills is the largest win of the day. Her preseason efficiency proved she is the engine of the second unit, and her return to the ground suggests the ankle sprain is not as extreme as initially feared. Having her size and scoring accessible is an enormous aid for a backcourt that should keep recent in opposition to Caitlin Clark.
- Transitioning to Game Mode: With 15 practices within the books, the “tapering off” part has begun. Fernandez’s choice to deal with Friday as a shootaround suggests the tactical basis is ready. The focus now shifts from set up to execution, significantly the defensive coverages designed to disrupt the Fever’s transition recreation.
- The Mask Factor: The particular person work Smith is doing on the facet is probably going a part of her adjustment interval with the protecting masks. Playing at her high-intensity, “anchor” fashion requires clear peripheral imaginative and prescient, and these solo classes are essential for her consolation degree earlier than she’s thrown again into the live-action “fire.”
- Home Opener Looming: While the main focus is on the ABC matchup in Indy, Tuesday’s dwelling opener in opposition to the Atlanta Dream serves as a reminder of the frantic early schedule. Getting the roster wholesome for the flight again to Arlington is simply as vital as the result on Saturday.
ARLINGTON, Texas— Dallas Wings head coach Jose Fernandez supplied an encouraging replace on the statuses of Alanna Smith and Aziaha James following Thursday’s follow, with each gamers persevering with to work again from accidents two days earlier than Saturday’s regular-season opener on the Indiana Fever.
“I think they’re progressing well,” Fernandez stated. “Aziaha back today looked good, and I think Alanna’s on schedule.”
James, who suffered a sprained ankle throughout Tuesday’s follow, returned to the ground Thursday and went by drills along with his teammates. Smith, who’s recovering from a nasal fracture sustained Sunday within the preseason finale in opposition to the Las Vegas Aceswas not a part of the reside portion of follow and went by particular person work on the facet.
Alanna Smith’s Availability for Saturday Remains Unclear
Fernandez didn’t decide to a particular timeline for Smith’s return when requested whether or not “on schedule” meant she would play within the opener at Gainbridge Fieldhouse.
“Well, she’s on schedule. We’ll see,” Fernandez stated. “I’m not a doctor or an athletic trainer. She’s on schedule.”
The Wings are going to prioritize participant well being over urgent to be accessible for one recreation. The experience of the medical workers might be relied on to make any willpower.
“Things continue to progress. I hope she feels good, and it’s a long season,” Fernandez stated. “We’re not going to put anyone in a position where they’re not going to be successful individually, but also create any damage for them as a player and as a person. That’s the most important thing. We’ve got a really good medical staff.”
Smith took an elbow from A’ja Wilson on Sunday at Moody Center, an affect that left her mouth bleeding and ended her night time after simply 12 minutes. She had been essentially the most environment friendly participant on the ground for both facet on the time of the harm, ending with 12 factors, 7 rebounds, and a team-high plus-19 on 5-of-6 capturing, together with 2-of-2 from past the arc.
The reigning WNBA Co-Defensive Player of the Year might want to put on a protecting masks as soon as cleared to return to recreation motion, as Dallas Hoops Journal famous. Smith joined the Wings on a three-year max contract this offseason because the franchise’s signature free-agent addition and has been handled because the frontcourt anchor all through coaching camp.
Aziaha James Back On the Floor After Tuesday’s Ankle Sprain
James’ return to drills represents a significant step ahead after she was held out of each Tuesday’s and Wednesday’s classes. The second-year guard was Dallas’ main scorer within the preseason finale at Moody Center, posting 18 factors off the bench within the 101-84 win over Las Vegas. She averaged 17.5 factors, 2.5 assists, and three.0 steals in 24.0 minutes per recreation through the preseason.
With the sport being on Saturday, the Wings don’t have to submit an harm report till Friday night. A proper designation for both participant’s availability in opposition to the Fever might be recognized at the moment.
James, who averaged 7.5 factors, 2.9 rebounds, and 1.6 assists in 17.7 minutes as a rookie, has been a standout all through coaching camp and preseason.
Jose Fernandez Sets Tone for Final Practice Before Opener
Thursday’s session was the Wings’ second consecutive day of measured work after stretches of extra demanding coaching camp practices. Fernandez stated the workforce will deal with Friday extra like a shootaround given the early Saturday tip-off.
“We went pretty hard the last two days, so now tapering off as it gets closer to game day,” Fernandez stated. “We’ll treat tomorrow almost like a shootaround. It’s an earlier game, so we won’t shoot around the day of the game. So it’s just making sure we’re on the same page with the things we want to do on both ends of the floor.”
Thursday marked the workforce’s fifteenth follow of coaching camp, together with shootarounds, and that Friday will possible be when focus shifts fully to preparation for Indiana.
Up Next
The Wings open the 2026 WNBA common season in opposition to the Fever on Saturday, May 9, at 12 pm CT in Indianapolis.
The Wings make their dwelling debut Tuesday, May 12, at 7 pm CT in opposition to the Atlanta Dream at College Park Center.
