Jose Fernandez’s Awkward Answers On Benching Maddy Siegrist & Azzi Fudd Spark Backlash

The Dallas Wings surrendered an eight-point first-half lead against the Lynx, which was the case in their previous loss against the Atlanta Dream. Back-to-back losses overshadowed the team’s strong start to the season, as coach Jose Fernandez is now under scrutiny.

After the first game, analyst Chiney Ogwumike blasted the coach for not using Azzi Fudd for more minutes, and now, in the third game, the coach once again faced a similar question about the first overall pick’s usage and rotation.

While the coach tried to provide reasons for his decision, fans were not convinced by his explanation and slammed him.

Fans React To Jose Fernandez’s Answer Over Benching Top Performers In Game

The Dallas Wings struggled against the Lynx, particularly in the second half, where the visitors outscored the Wings 50-38. While Maddy Siegrist was in top offensive form and Azzi Fud was also doing well on defense, the coach made a strange decision to bench them.

When a reporter asked him about Siegrist, Fernandez pointed out that the player made a blunder on the defensive end twice in the third quarter. And when the reporter asked about Azzi Fudd, the coach noted that the player hadn’t practiced for a couple of days yet played for 20-odd minutes.

I asked Jose Fernandez about his decision not playing Maddy Siegrist in the fourth quarter and why he took Azzi Fudd out once the game got close, especially when her defense could have helped late in the game. pic.twitter.com/JqcyQvA2ox

— Landon Thomas (@sixfivelando) May 15, 2026

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Fans were not happy with the answer, as the Wings had the game in hand until the Lynx pulled off a string of offensive plays and also got stops at will.

A fan said, “Too bad u hired another ehh coach.”

@DallasWings ur roster have so much potential especially if they’re utilize well, too bad u hired another ehh coach 🥲

— sienna ʚଓ (@jazlynaye) May 15, 2026

One fan added, “Comparing sims and James to the #1 pick. And implying they have the same impact defensively… what is going on.”

Comparing sims and James to the #1 pick. And implying they have the same impact defensively… what is going on🥴

— Bobsies (@Bobsies119239) May 15, 2026

Another fan mentioned, “He’s so passive aggressive with his answers, I can’t take his ego.”

He’s so passive aggressive with his answers, I can’t take his ego… just admit you made a mistake (many in fact) with your rotation…

— anne🗽🐇 (@madorwisecat) May 15, 2026

Another fan commented, “His arguments are so contradictory to who ended up playing.”

His arguments are so contradictory to who ended up playing and how they played when they were actually in the game. None of this should have left the locker room, like make a trip to Storrs and take a crash course PR training from CD — this is an awful look 3 games in.

— Whitney Oliver (@WhitneyEOliver) May 15, 2026

One fan said, “It feels very much like a middle school coach not happy.”

This coach is a joke. It feels very much like a middle school coach not happy

— Fessik12 (@fessik12) May 15, 2026

While fans did make some valid points, the coach saw it as the whole team’s effort to get the win. In the post-game interview, he also pointed out that the videotapes will show how the side struggled in the late game. Fernandez already set a goal for the season, and he is not willing to let a single mistake affect that target.

Jose Fernandez Slams The Team Effort For Loss Against Lynx

The first-year coach was clearly unhappy with the team’s chemistry on the floor, as they did not make up for missed offensive opportunities with a strong defensive display. Arike Ogwumike also hinted at the importance of defensive plays after the loss against the Dream team, and the coach didn’t hold back after the second loss.

“It’s got to mean more. It’s got to mean more, especially in those [late game] situations. Really good teams and championship teams — they don’t care who starts. They don’t care how many minutes they play. They don’t care if the ball’s not going in for them, can do different things on the defensive end. When we start doing that, and we don’t get in our feelings — because body language never whispers,” Fernandez said.

José Fernández didn't hold back after the Wings' loss to the Lynx 😳 pic.twitter.com/AYMC28VDgb

— Yahoo Sports (@YahooSports) May 15, 2026

“Championship teams, you play for the guy next to you. It doesn’t matter if the ball’s not going in — you can do different things. You can share it, you can defend, you can go get stuff off the glass. When that changes, then you don’t lose these types of games,” he added.

The Wings will now host the Mystics on Monday and will look to improve on the gameplay as early as possible.