“Go to Golden State,” Wings HC Publicly Calls Out Player After Rough Showing in Fever Loss

Jose Fernandez sparked another wave of backlash after going a little too far with his blunt take on Awak Kuier.

“Go to Golden State,” Wings HC Publicly Calls Out Player After Rough Showing in Fever Loss

Jose Fernandez and Awak Kuier (Image credits - Yahoo Sports and Swish Appeal)

Dallas Wings head coach Jose Fernandez has put himself in the headlines once again. The Wings suffered another disappointing 98-87 loss to the Indiana Fever at the Gainbridge Fieldhouse on Saturday night.

It was the Wings’ seventh loss in their last ten games. The loss saw them drop to eighth place in the WNBA standings with a 20-15 record. They are now 10-9 on the road after their latest defeat.

Fernandez came under the scanner for his comments on Awak Kuier after the game. His player-management methods are hard to appreciate, as this is not the first time something like this has happened.

Following the loss, Fernandez was asked about Kuier’s performance on Saturday. The head coach surprisingly threw Kuier under the bus, and his response raised a few eyebrows.

She’s got a good opportunity to go to Golden State and rebound and defend and protect the basket.

Jose Fernandez in his post game press conference

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Heading into the 2026 WNBA campaign, the Wings were seen as championship contenders alongside defending champions, Las Vegas Aces. They are a strong team on paper on both ends of the court, and the early signs were promising when they beat the Fever in the season-opener.

Unfortunately, things have been a bit rocky since the end of July. After another loss, it is clear that the frustrations are catching up to Fernandez. Earlier this season, he called out his team for being “selfish”. He has ruffled feathers once again with his post-game statements.

Drafted by the Wings as the number two pick in the 2021 draft, Kuier is currently in her fourth season in the WNBA and has seen an increased number of minutes this year. She played 28 minutes against the Fever on Saturday and recorded eight points, six rebounds, four assists, and three blocks in what was an impressive defensive performance. Unfortunately, Hernandez was left unimpressed.

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Fans react to Jose Hernandez’s puzzling Awak Kuier message after the loss

It was a puzzling statement from Hernandez. Instead of speaking about his forward’s performance against the Fever, he shifted his focus towards the upcoming game against the Golden State Valkyries.

His comments about Kuier triggered a response from Wings fans across social media.

Fans were disappointed by Fernandez’s statements and called him out. Fernandez probably wanted more from Kuier, but his words didn’t resonate with his team’s fans. The backlash is even stronger because this isn’t the first time Fernandez has dragged team matters into the public eye.

Awak Kuier tied the Wings’ record for most blocks in a quarter on Saturday

Since Jessica Shepard suffered an ankle injury last week, Kuier has seen more playing time. She has been impressive on the defensive end of the floor and has shown significant improvement on the offensive end.

Awak Kuier
Awak Kuier (Image credits – I talk hoops/X)

Hernandez’s comments were uncalled for as Kuier broke some records on Saturday night. She matched her career-high for blocks in a game and tied the Wings’ record for most blocks in a quarter. Hernandez may have expected more from her in the second half.

It was in the fourth quarter that the Fever took the game away from the Wings. The Wings were outscored 35-21 in the final quarter, and Kuier’s lack of aggression may have had a role to play in it. She is averaging 5.6 points, 3.1 rebounds, and 1.2 blocks in 32 appearances so far this season. However, her recent performances have shown that she is an important defensive asset to the team heading forward.

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