The Dallas Wings escaped Seattle with a thrilling overtime win against the Seattle Storm on Monday night. But amid all the excitement and celebration that usually comes with a comeback win of this sort, there is a realization that is becoming evident around the team. Head coach Jose Fernandez pointed it out quite clearly during the postgame press conference.

“That’s what I told them. The last two games we played in this league, you got to bring it every night,” Fernandez said while speaking in the press conference. “We’re not sneaking up on anybody. The Dallas Wings ain’t sneaking up on anybody anymore. We’re going to get everybody’s best punch night in and night out. And that’s what our locker room has got to understand.”

Jose Fernandez’s message was straightforward. Unlike last season, when they ended with a 10-34 record, the Wings are no longer a team that is being overlooked. In fact, last season’s struggles may have extended to their reputation coming into this season, causing opponents to underestimate them earlier. However, after recent wins, strong performances and sitting at 10-6 already this season, that is no longer the case. Every team they play now will be ready to play extra hard against them.

And that has been evidenced in the last two games. Prior to this Seattle Storm Game, they also had to battle out a tight and tough win against the Chicago Sky. And like in this Seattle Storm game, that also required a strong comeback run in the fourth quarter of the game.

In the Sky game, they  had to erase a whopping 17-points deficit to eventually win the game 93-92. And in this Storm game, they were actually trailing 94-88 with just 1:24 remaining in regulation. But despite the limited time left, they still managed to claw their way back into the game and force overtime.

So, with this new found realization, there’s a need for a shift in mentality, preparation, urgency and extra fight. And even though they did quite well to show that fight in this Storm game, and in the Sky game before, they now have to approach coming games with the idea that it’s going to be tougher than usual. They will now have to learn to approach games with more intensity, focus and readiness right from the opening tip. That will definitely be important more than ever against a team like their next opponent, the Las Vegas Aces.

Jose Fernandez Praises Paige Bueckers’ Late Heroics But Sends Clear Warning to Dallas Wings

In the last game against the Chicago Sky, it was Paige Bueckers who spearheaded the late-game surge, scoring 10 of 11 consecutive points for Dallas Wings to eventually win the game 93-92. And just like in the Sky game, she was also the instrumental player against the Seattle Storms. In fact, she took over by scoring the Wings’ final eight points of the fourth quarter, including back-to-back clutch 3-pointers.

Head coach Jose Fernandez made sure to acknowledge that performance as well when speaking in the postgame press conference.

“But I mean, what Paige did with her two and the two threes were incredible individual plays, you know. That’s why she is who she is,” Fernandez added.

And of course, Bueckers eventually ended up with 27 points, five assists and five rebounds. That was a huge part of the Wings’ eventual 112-110 victory.

But as a team looking to consistently win and compete against top teams, relying on a Paige Bueckers late-game miracle, or on one single player will not always be enough. And so, as Fernandez also said, there is a need for collective effort as much as the individual brilliance that has served as the saving grace in these last two outings.

“This league is very, very good, right? And when you don’t play well and you don’t show up, you’re going to get beat. And we need individually and collectively to show up every night, you know,” Fernandez added.

Hopefully, they would not have to also chase the game against the Las Vegas Aces in their next game. And it will definitely be a more demanding encounter, even though they have already defeated them twice this season.