Jose Fernandez and Cynthia Cooper’s public back-and-forth has finally settled down. The tussle that tipped off last month after the Minnesota Lynx game has taken a different turn following their recent face-to-face exchange, the WNBA veteran reveals.

Speaking at the Road Trippin’ Show, Cooper recounted every detail of their exchange while raving about Fernandez’s behavior during that face-off.

“So, I was speaking in Italian, but my frustration was three games in, and that’s what you come in the media and say about your players in the locker room,” Cooper said. “So, I had an issue with that. He had an issue with me addressing him in Italian, and when we saw each other, he made a beeline over to me, and I was like, “Yeah, I don’t have to cuss this man.”

“No, I’m just kidding. He was absolutely great. He understood it. We laughed about it. We talked about how his team has come together and how we went back to the locker room and apologized to his players,” Cooper added.

The entire fiasco started with Fernandez calling his locker room “selfish” after the defeat to the Lynx last month. According to the Dallas head coach, his team didn’t move the ball well, which ultimately led to their loss. Meanwhile, Cooper wasn’t buying into this idea.

The WNBA legend went on a rant in Italian about Fernandez while discussing the matter on WNBA Nightcap on Prime. “I wanna say they have 11 assists in the first quarter. How’re you gonna be selfish? 11 on 12 baskets. 22 for the game,” Cooper had said. “I believe at some point Dallas lost control of the game. And because they lost control of the game, they looked for ways out of it. But they’re too young of a team to figure it out all out the way, especially by themselves. Accountability is for everyone. Everyone – staff, players, let’s be accountable.”

Jose Fernandez wasn’t backing away from these callouts as well. In the post-game presser after a win over the Washington Mystics in the very next game, the Dallas head coach doubled down on the arguments, urging Cynthia Cooper to come to their training facility and understand what they are trying to do on their “offensive end.”

Subsequently, Cooper accepted the invitation and attended a Wings practice session before the Las Vegas Aces game. The moment marked the conclusion of that media tussle. According to LandonBurford.com, both of them had a chat during the shootaround.

Cynthia Cooper’s assessment makes it perfectly clear that while there was a bit of resentment between the two, the conversation between them went remarkably well. Furthermore, Fernandez’s reaction to Cooper attending their training was also warm and gracious.

“It was fine. It was good, you know. I won’t comment on what we talked about, but I have unbelievable respect for her on what she’s done for the game, and it was great to catch up on her and talk about tonight’s matchup,” Fernandez had said as per Landon Burford just after their face-to-face exchange.

But amid all this, Cynthia Cooper also offers an important piece of advice.

Cynthia Cooper Urges Jose Fernandez to Be “Careful of Terminology”

Ever since Jose Fernandez’s viral “selfish” comment, the Dallas Wings have been on a roll. The team has won 7 of the next 10 games. And what’s even more impressive? They are one of the top teams in the league in assists, currently second on the leaderboard, averaging 22.8 per game, according to WNBA.com.

These are impressive numbers, given the young core that the Wings have. Cooper feels that Fernandez should consider all these elements next time before using terms like “selfish” in his locker room.

“They currently lead the league in assists,” she said on the Road Trippin’ Show. “And when you start talking about players like Paige Bueckers, Azzi Fudd was kind of getting in her rhythm. When you start talking about those types of players, you have to give them a range to do what they do because they’re so incredibly talented.”

“Sometimes, they don’t always make the right decisions, but you know, just be careful of terminology. When your superstars are making bad decisions, that doesn’t necessarily mean they’re selfish,” Cooper added.

From an overall perspective, Jose Fernandez has had a great start to his WNBA stint. Under him, the Wings have had one of the best starts in recent years. Players like Paige Bueckers and Arike Ogunbowale have been central to that success.

Meanwhile, new players like Azzi Fudd and Jessica Shepard have left their mark on the team. They are now 8-5 on the season, with their next game scheduled against the Las Vegas Aces on June 15 at the College Park Center.