Paige Bueckers continues to anchor the Dallas Wings as a scorer, facilitator, and all-around tone-setter.
In Thursday’s 98–89 victory over the Phoenix Mercury at College Park Center, Bueckers tallied 23 points, five assists, four rebounds, and one steal, marking the seventh 20-point game of her rookie season. She officially passed Sandy Brondello for No. 3 in franchise history for most 20-point games by a first-year player, trailing only Arike Ogunbowale (18) and Odyssey Sims (12).
“She’s locked in,” head coach Chris Koclanes said. “The way she’s managing the game — it’s her pace, her presence, her ability to make the right read every time down. That’s what we rely on.”
Dallas jumped out to a 32–20 first-quarter lead — its highest-scoring opening frame of the season — and Bueckers was in complete control. She scored eight early points, went perfect from the field in the quarter, and kept the Mercury defense on its heels with smart decision-making out of pick-and-roll actions.
Even as Aziaha James stole the show with a career-high 28 points, Bueckers drew praise for setting the tone offensively and helping orchestrate the Wings’ most complete first half of the season.
Still, Bueckers deflected the spotlight.
“This was the Aziaha James game,” Bueckers said postgame. “She was on fire. We just kept giving her the ball and letting her cook.”
The 23-point performance kept Bueckers in elite rookie territory. Her seven 20-point games now rank third in Wings rookie history — and she has 25 games remaining in the regular season to close the gap. She’s averaging 18.7 points, 4.4 rebounds, 5.7 assists, and 1.8 steals in her rookie season.
With Ogunbowale (left thumb) sidelined for the first time all season, Bueckers took on an even larger playmaking burden — and the Wings didn’t miss a beat. Dallas shot 60.6% in the first half, scored 61 points (tied for the WNBA’s single-half high this season), and beat one of the league’s top teams on both ends.
The win improved Dallas to 6–13 overall and 5–2 over its last seven games, including a 4–0 mark at College Park Center.
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