The Dallas Wings defeated the Connecticut Sun 86-83 on Thursday to improve to 12-8 on the season. Paige Bueckers was sensational in the win, recording 25 points, seven rebounds and seven assists.
Another player who stepped up big time for Dallas was forward Jessica Shepard, who tallied 14 points on 6-of-10 shooting, along with six rebounds and one steal.
Despite the win, it wasn't all positive for the Wings, particularly for Shepard. Early in the third quarter of the game, the referees assessed the 29-year-old star with a Flagrant 1 foul.
As she was fighting for a rebound against Brittney Griner, Shepard hit the Sun center in the neck with her elbow. It was initially ruled a common foul before officials upgraded it to a Flagrant 1.
Lucas Peltier-Imagn Images via Reuters Connect
Shepard is now set to be fined $500 for her latest violation. The league rules state that each flagrant point carries a $500 fine. A Flagrant 1 accounts for one flagrant point, while a Flagrant 2 accounts for two flagrant points.
It is also Shepard's second Flagrant 1 foul of the season, as she committed her first on June 13 against the Portland Fire. Once she reaches four flagrant points, she will receive an automatic one-game suspension.
Shepard will definitely need to be careful. She could also be suspended for two games if she commits a Flagrant 2 foul after accumulating three flagrant points.
It's certainly a disappointing development for Shepard, especially since she had just received some good news earlier in the day.
The WNBA announced that Shepard was voted as an All-Star and named an All-Star starter for the first time in her career.
