Rookie Dallas Wings point guard Paige Bueckers, the No. 1 pick in the 2025 WNBA Draft out the University of Connecticut, made her 2025 regular season debut against the mighty Minnesota Lynx on Friday night.
The 6-footer didn’t waste much time in getting her first official bucket in the league, scoring the game’s first two points by putting back her own take.
Bueckers looked to score early in Dallas, showing off a well-rounded offensive game. The Lynx’s defense clamped down on her in the second half, however.
A native of Edina, Minnesota, Bueckers got to log her first official WNBA action against the team she had grown up rooting for, in a fun twist of fate.
Even in her debut game, she already looked equally comfortable scoring in the paint, finding teammates in transition for open looks, grabbing boards, and pulling up for long midrange takes.
At least, everything looked pretty good during the first half. Her efficiency took a nosedive after that.
Across 30 minutes during the 99-84 Minnesota road win, Bueckers finished with 10 points on just 3-of-10 shooting from the floor and 4-of-4 shooting from the foul line, seven rebounds, and two assists, plus a -19 plus-minus.
After finishing with a 9-31 record, the Wings leapfrogged the Los Angeles Sparks (who went 8-32 last year) to nab the rights to draft Bueckers in April’s draft.
More WNBA News: Dallas Wings Surprisingly Win WNBA Draft Lottery With Paige Bueckers as Top Prospect
2025 has been a great year for Dallas-based pro basketball clubs. Earlier this week, the Mavericks — who finished with a play-in tournament berth and a 39-43 record, but fell short of the playoffs proper — jumped up in the draft lottery to secure the rights to the No. 1 selection in next month’s 2025 NBA Draft. The Mavericks are expected to select one-and-done Duke power forward Cooper Flagg if they retain the pick.
Buoyed by the scoring efforts of four-time All-Star guard Arike Ogunbowale, All-WNBA Second Team forward Myisha Hines-Allen, Bueckers, and reigning WNBA Most Improved Player wing DiJonai Carrington, the Wings trotted out to an early 21-19 first quarter lead, and managed to keep things close heading into the halftime break.
Still, thanks to a combined 25 points scored by four-time All-Star power forward Napheesa Collier and veteran big Jessica Shepard, the Lynx managed to eke out a marginal 27-24 edge in the second frame, leading to a 46-46 tie at the break.
Things took a turn for the worse in the second half. Minnesota’s experience started to pay off in a big way during the third quarter, when the Lynx outscored Dallas 35-20. Minnesota was able to build on that advantage throughout the fourth frame, and Bueckers’ debut ended in defeat.
Lynx playmaker Courtney Williams — an elite midrange specialist — and MVP hopeful Collier were the club’s standout performers. Collier finished with 34 points on 12-of-21 shooting from the floor and 8-of-8 shooting from the charity stripe, while Williams notched 25 points on 10-of-15 shooting from the field and 3-of-3 foul shooting, plus nine dimes.
More WNBA News: WNBA Star Cameron Brink Shines in Her First Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Appearance
Still, this is just Game 1 in what figures to be an All-Star career for Bueckers. And she already looks like a seasoned pro.
During her college years, Bueckers racked up massive accolades. The 23-year-old was a three-time All-American First Teamer for the Associated Press, USBWA, and WBCA, and won the Naismith College Player of the Year, USBWA National Player of the Year, John Wooden, Wade Trophy, and Honda Sports awards during her tenure. She brought the Huskies a championship this past spring during an NCAA Tournament swan song run.
Bueckers’ career college average of 19.8 points per game (on .531/.423/.850 shooting splits) represents an all-time UConn women’s basketball record.
More WNBA News:
WNBA Star Caitlin Clark Opens Up on Bonding With Taylor Swift Through Chiefs Fandom
WNBA Announces Bold Changes Ahead for 2025 Season
Superstar WNBA Rookie Hailey Van Lith Debuts for Sports Illustrated Swimsuit
WNBA Fans React to Paige Bueckers’ Massive Unrivaled League Contract
WNBA Legend Sue Bird Takes On Major Role With USA Women’s Basketball Team
For more WNBA news and rumors, keep your eyes glued to Newsweek Sports.
Read the full article here
