Shepard makes WNBA history while Dallas continues its impressive road success with a statement victory in New York.
NEW YORK - Jessica Shepard delivered another historic performance on Tuesday night, recording her third triple-double of the 2026 WNBA season to lead the Dallas Wings to an impressive 88-77 victory over the New York Liberty.
Shepard finished with 22 points, 12 rebounds, and 11 assists, becoming just the second player in WNBA history to register three triple-doubles in a single season. The milestone places her alongside Alyssa Thomas in the league record books and further establishes Shepard as one of the league's most versatile stars. It was also the fourth triple-double of Shepard's career, tying Sabrina Ionescu for the second-most all-time, trailing only Thomas.
The Wings continued their remarkable turnaround away from home, improving to 14-8 on the season while collecting their eighth road victory. The accomplishment is especially significant considering Dallas managed only six total road wins over the previous two seasons combined. The victory also marked another statement performance for a team that has quietly become one of the hottest squads in the league, winning five of its last seven contests.
Dallas built momentum early and never allowed New York to establish control. The Wings executed efficiently on both ends of the floor, sharing the basketball and forcing the Liberty into difficult offensive possessions throughout the night. Their balanced attack proved too much for New York to overcome despite another standout effort from Breanna Stewart.
The defining moment of the game came late in the fourth quarter when rookie sensation Paige Bueckers knocked down her only three-pointer of the night with 3:12 remaining. The basket extended Dallas' lead to 82-70 and effectively sealed the outcome. More importantly, Shepard was credited with the assist on the play, officially completing her historic triple-double and drawing cheers from the Dallas bench as teammates celebrated the milestone.
Bueckers once again demonstrated her all-around impact despite making just one shot from beyond the arc. She finished with 15 points, seven rebounds, and six assists while providing steady leadership and timely scoring during crucial stretches. Her ability to control the pace and make smart decisions complemented Shepard's dominant all-around performance.
Dallas also received valuable contributions from the supporting cast. Azzi Fudd added 12 points, providing key perimeter scoring whenever the Liberty attempted to cut into the deficit. Awak Kuier delivered one of her most complete performances of the season, recording a double-double with 10 points and 12 rebounds while also dishing out seven assists. Kuier's presence in the paint and playmaking ability gave Dallas another dimension offensively and helped control the boards throughout the contest.
The Liberty struggled to generate consistent offense outside of Stewart, who once again carried much of the scoring load. Stewart poured in a game-high 29 points while grabbing nine rebounds, nearly recording a double-double in defeat. However, she received limited offensive support for much of the evening, particularly during the first half.
New York's offensive struggles were evident before halftime. Stewart accounted for four of the Liberty's 10 made field goals in the opening two quarters, while the remainder of the team combined to shoot just 6-for-27 from the field. The cold shooting allowed Dallas to build a commanding 47-31 halftime advantage, putting the Liberty in catch-up mode for the rest of the night.
Jonquel Jones finished with 17 points and provided a physical presence inside, while Sabrina Ionescu added 14 points. Despite their efforts, New York never found the sustained rhythm necessary to erase the deficit as Dallas continued to answer every challenge with timely baskets and disciplined defense.
The loss dropped the Liberty to 13-9 on the season and marked their second home defeat to Dallas in 2026, highlighting the Wings' confidence when facing one of the league's top contenders. For Dallas, the victory further validates its emergence as a legitimate playoff threat capable of winning in difficult environments against elite competition.
As the regular season progresses, Shepard's historic campaign continues to gain momentum. Her ability to score, rebound, facilitate, and elevate her teammates has transformed the Wings into one of the WNBA's most dangerous teams. With Bueckers, Fudd, Kuier, and a deep supporting cast contributing consistently, Dallas appears well-positioned for a strong second-half push.
The Wings will look to keep their winning momentum alive when they travel to Toronto on Friday, while the Liberty aim to bounce back on the road against Minnesota on Saturday.
Final Score: Dallas Wings 88, New York Liberty 77
