Jessica Shepard Logged the WNBA's First Triple-Double, and Dallas Is Coming for Atlanta

Holy smokes, folks, did you SEE what went down on Wednesday night? Dallas just threw down the gauntlet, and honestly, the whole WNBA needs to pay attention. Jessica Shepard pulled off the league's first triple-double of the year, dropping an insane 18 points, 12 assists, and 10 rebounds against the Chicago Sky! The Wings are riding a serious wave of momentum, and they are rolling into Atlanta for a rematch against a Dream squad that's looking to find its footing. This isn't just another game, it's a statement about who's for real in this early season.

Dallas Is ON FIRE After Their Coach Called Them Out

Look, the Wings were in a rough spot just a few games ago. After dropping consecutive losses, first-year coach Jose Fernandez was straight up ripping into his squad, calling out what he saw as pure selfishness. Ouch. But guess what? That tough talk seems to have lit a fire under them! Dallas just got a 99-89 road win against Chicago, and before that, they absolutely crushed Washington 92-69 on Monday night. This team looks totally different. Paige Bueckers was lights out against Chicago, gunning in 24 points on 11-for-19 shooting. And after the game, she talked about the team's newfound selflessness, saying they "pass up good shots for great shots," and that "chemistry with each other" is finally building. It feels like they've hit their stride, and that's a dangerous sight for anyone standing in their way.

Atlanta's Battle: Injuries and Gray's Dominance

Meanwhile, the Atlanta Dream (2-1) are coming off a gut-wrenching 85-84 loss to the defending champs, the Las Vegas Aces. They battled back from a 17-point deficit in the fourth quarter, but it wasn't enough. They haven't quite found their offensive rhythm, ranking 10th in the league at 84 points per game. And injuries are definitely not helping, with three-time All-Star Rhyne Howard, who averages 14.5 points, missing Sunday's game due to concussion protocol, though she did practice Thursday. Brionna Jones (knee injury) is still out for Friday, having not played all season. Despite all that, coach Karl Smesko is staying optimistic. He believes the team has "a lot of room for improvement, which is really exciting," and that they "have the makings of a great team."

The good news for Atlanta? Allisha Gray is absolutely going off, leading the team with 25 points per game through three contests. Jordin Canada (14 points) and new center Angel Reese (10.7 points) are also consistently hitting double figures. Remember their last matchup on May 12? Atlanta pulled out a 77-72 road win, with Gray dropping 26 points and Reese putting up a monster 12-point, 16-rebound effort. Can they repeat that performance against a red-hot Dallas squad?

So, get ready for Friday night because Atlanta is hosting Dallas, and this one is going to be a clash of surging momentum versus desperate determination. Can Gray lead the Dream through their injury woes and offensive struggles, or will Shepard and the newly selfless Wings continue their dominant run? This early season showdown has huge implications for both teams as they try to establish themselves. Don't miss it, folks!

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This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.