Paige Bueckers didn’t need a reminder of where she was Friday night. The moment she stepped onto the floor at Mohegan Sun Arena, the energy in the building was unmistakable—familiar faces, familiar cheers, and plenty of UConn jerseys bearing her name.
But the version of Bueckers who took the floor for the Dallas Wings wasn’t returning as a college icon. She looked every bit the evolving professional—poised, productive, and increasingly comfortable in her new league. Her 21-point, seven-assist performance led the Wings to an 86–83 win over the Connecticut Sun, securing Dallas’ first back-to-back victories of the season.
“It’s fun coming back here every single time,” Bueckers said. “They’ve always shown so much love to me. This state has done a lot for me, so it’s amazing to return and get another win.”
Building Momentum in the WNBA
The win capped a two-game sweep of the Sun and offered Dallas a chance to breathe after a grueling 1–11 start. It was Bueckers’ second trip to Connecticut as a professional, but Friday’s game had a different feel. The Wings played with control. Bueckers set the tone early, scoring 16 points in the first half on 7-of-11 shooting and dictating pace against Connecticut’s pressure defense.
“In the first quarter we let them speed us up a little bit, and we turned it over quite a bit,” Bueckers said. “So taking care of the ball and not letting them rush us—getting it across half court and getting into what we want offensively—was key. We started doing that more in the second half, which led to more shots at the rim and more offensive rebounds.”
While she didn’t record a made field goal in the second half, her playmaking and defensive intensity helped the Wings close the door. Five of her seven assists came after the break, and she continued to navigate the Sun’s length and physicality with composure. Her stat line—21 points, two rebounds, seven assists, and two steals—reflected balance, not just volume.
“I didn’t really have any expectations,” she said when asked about her rookie year. “I just wanted to live each day for what it is—maximize it, keep building, and stay true to who I am. I knew it’d be a tough adjustment, but my teammates and the coaching staff have done everything to make it easier.”
The Wings are beginning to reap the benefits. Over her last six games, Bueckers has averaged 21.3 points, 5.5 assists, 4.0 rebounds and 2.3 steals. She joins Sabrina Ionescu and Caitlin Clark as the only WNBA players over that span averaging 20-plus points and five-plus assists. While the headlines often focus on the bigger names, Bueckers’ consistency is helping Dallas find footing. That progress is being recognized on a national level. In the first returns of WNBA All-Star fan voting, Bueckers ranked sixth overall with 312,920 votes.
Bueckers and Wings Building Chemistry and Confidence
There seems to be a growing chemistry with the Wings group amid a recent change to start Aziaha James over DiJonai Carrington. James, who started alongside Bueckers in the backcourt for the second consecutive game had a career-best performance, adding 17 points, five rebounds, and five assists while attacking the rim with purpose and defending with intensity. Her growing confidence has added a new layer to the Wings’ perimeter play and helped ease pressure off both Bueckers and Arike Ogunbowale.
Beyond her production, Bueckers’ chemistry with teammates has begun to take shape—particularly with center Li Yueru, who was traded recently from the Seattle Storm. In Friday’s game, Bueckers repeatedly found Yueru on rolls and dives, including an important pick-and-roll sequence late in the third quarter that helped steady the offense.
“It’s really fun to play with her,” Bueckers said. “She’s super smart, high IQ, understands the game. It’s got to be tough joining a team almost halfway through the season, but she has a great understanding of how to play with us. The chemistry will keep building. She plays extremely hard and is fun to be around on and off the court.”
What Sets Paige Bueckers Apart from Other Players
Head coach Chris Koclanes has made note of Bueckers’ ability to adapt, lead, and influence winning even on nights when her shot isn’t falling.
“She doesn’t have to score to dominate a game,” Koclanes said. “Tonight, she carried us in the first half, didn’t score in the second, but had five assists and played great defense. She continues to impact winning in all areas and is growing more confident as a leader each day.”
Asked directly about her leadership, Bueckers said she’s still evolving in that role, but views every game as a chance to improve.
“It’s been a new journey and challenge—different than anything I’ve gone through as a player and person,” she said. “Coming in, trying to earn respect, lead, and be a great teammate. I’m trying to find my voice, my role. It’s been fun building new relationships and embracing this city and team.”
One such relationship was on display Friday in the form of some friendly competition. Midway through the first half, former UConn teammate Olivia Nelson-Ododa blocked Bueckers at the rim. Bueckers scored on the next possession and shared a laugh about it postgame.
“Super fun. Liv’s like a sister to me,” Bueckers said. “She’s been talking smack about how she hadn’t blocked me yet—so I told her she got her one, but I got it right back. Fair game.”
That moment—equal parts competitive and lighthearted—reflected the balance Bueckers is finding in her professional rhythm. Her competitive edge is sharp, but her leadership remains grounded in humility, humor, and connection.
A Foundation for What’s Next
Bueckers has quickly become a stabilizing force for a Wings team searching for identity. With the roster still working through lineup changes, a recent trade, EuroBasket departures, and lengthy injuries, her ability to adapt in real time has stood out. The recent surge, however small, has offered a window into the team’s potential.
“Every day, you see her coming into her own more and more and getting comfortable with her teammates,” Koclanes said. “Just her aggressiveness and her confidence to want to command out there—and off the floor as well.”
That presence has also extended beyond the basketball court. On Tuesday night, Bueckers threw out the ceremonial first pitch at Globe Life Field alongside Hall of Famer Nancy Lieberman. Most of the Wings roster was in attendance, offering support and taking in the moment as part of a growing sense of team chemistry.
Friday’s win brought Dallas to 3–11. It was the first time all season the Wings have won multiple games in a row. The Wings will look to extend their streak on Sunday in Washington, D.C., where they face the 5–8 Mystics to wrap up a two-game road trip.
It’s still early in Bueckers’ WNBA journey—just over a month removed from her May 16 debut—but she’s beginning to shape the next chapter of her WNBA career. And if Friday’s return to Connecticut was any indication, the foundation is solid and the momentum is building.
