How the Wings plan to use Grace Berger as a ‘true point guard’

Berger made her second consecutive start for Dallas on Tuesday against the Fever, finishing with two points on 1-of-2 shooting, one rebound, and one turnover in 17 minutes. Although she appeared tentative at times offensively, her role in keeping the offense structured was clear. She made her first start for the Wings two days earlier against Washington.

In seven games since joining the Wings, Berger has averaged 2.0 points, 2.9 rebounds, 2.0 assists, and 0.9 steals in 17.9 minutes per game. Her numbers don’t tell the full story — Dallas values her ability to control tempo, execute sets, and complement high-usage scorers.

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Wings’ vision for a point guard next to Paige Bueckers

For head coach Chris Koclanes, the appeal is clear — Berger adds a second primary ball handler who can keep the offense organized and take pressure off Paige Bueckers. Between helping to break full-court pressure when deployed and alleviating against aggressive alternatives to traditional pick-and-roll defense like drop coverage — often blitzing, hedge-and-recover, switching, and — having a ball handler to give Bueckers opportunities to get off the ball helps.

“Exactly what you’d hope — another ball handler out there keeping us organized with a good feel for generating tempo and getting the ball where it needs to go,” Koclanes said. “Whether that’s quickly moving it or using the dribble first, they’ve developed good synergy. It helps Paige not have to bring the ball up every time and deal with full-court pressure. It alleviates that taxing element for her and allows us to be more creative with her off the ball.”

Berger has adjusted quickly to Dallas, taking on a significant role in organizing the offense despite joining the team midseason. Her ability to read the floor, anticipate actions, and get the ball to the right spots has stood out to the coaching staff.

“She’s picked everything up extremely quickly,” Koclanes said. “At times she’s already a step ahead — knowing which action will get the ball to a specific player based on where they are on the floor. I like the pace she’s generating, the organization she brings, and I think the shot-making will come. I want her to stay aggressive, but I also appreciate that she’s not hunting her own offense. She gets into the paint, keeps her dribble, plays under control, and when the ball swings back to her, I want her confident stepping into those open shots.”

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Value of maximizing decision-makers

Curt Miller, the Wings’ general manager, noted that Berger’s presence lets Bueckers toggle between on-ball creation and off-ball actions.

“[Paige] enjoys being off the ball and then brought back into actions, not worn down by defensive point guards pressuring her full court,” Miller said. “She works well with a true point guard. Grace Berger’s recent acquisition has been great — she keeps the ball moving, doesn’t hunt her own shots, and looks to get the star players shots.”

Haley Jones pointed to the value of having multiple players who can initiate the offense, noting how it allows the Wings to diversify their attack and adapt to different defensive looks. With Bueckers often drawing the opponent’s top perimeter defender and Berger providing a steady hand at the point, Jones sees opportunities for herself and others to create from various spots on the floor.

“The more facilitators and playmakers on the floor, the better,” Jones said. “We have that in myself, Paige, and Grace. A lot of different people can make plays from different areas of the court, and it’s cool to have the three of us out there at the same time.”

Bueckers also emphasized the fit, pointing out how Berger’s presence has eased her own workload and provided another ball handler to organize Dallas’ offense and push the pace. Bueckers appreciates Berger’s approach within her role.

“She’s perfect in her role,” Bueckers said. “She knows what she’s good at and what she’s capable of — getting the offense organized, pushing the tempo, being aggressive on both sides of the floor. She doesn’t try to do too much and plays within herself. It’s been a really good deal for her.”

Point-of-attack edge on defense

Dallas has emphasized physicality and improved point-of-attack defense, and Berger’s size and activity fit that profile. At six feet tall, she has the length to contest shots and disrupt passing lanes, while her disciplined footwork allows her to stay in front of quicker guards.

The Wings have leaned on her to take challenging defensive assignments, whether guarding primary ball handlers or switching onto bigger wings, and her ability to hold her ground has complemented the team’s overall defensive identity.

“That was the feel,” Koclanes said of giving Berger over 20 minutes in New York. “She got in, and I liked that on offense, she was keeping it simple, moving the ball, and getting it where it needed to go. She had us organized. Defensively, she competes. She’s bigger and longer than you think, she’s physical, and she can stay in plays. I thought she did a really good job at times against Cloud, even on Sabrina, just staying straight up around the rim. She brought another fight and toughness that we needed.”

Luisa Geiselsöder echoed that Berger “brings a lot of structure” to the floor. However, one attribute that stands out about Berger for Gesielsöder is her physicality on defense. Her overall impact has brought a stabilizing presence.

“She can also be really physical on defense and bring us energy,” Geiselsöder said. “That structure is something we need on the court, and she’s a big piece of that.”

With Dallas testing personnel combinations around Bueckers, Berger’s fit gives the Wings a two-guard look that can manage tempo, alleviate defensive pressure, and keep the offense flowing.