The Dallas Wings’ 99–84 season-opening loss to the Minnesota Lynx marked the primary WNBA look for Paige Bueckers, who completed with 10 factors, seven rebounds, two assists and a steal in half-hour. However for Bueckers, the night time was much less concerning the field rating and extra about planting a flag.
Michael Gonzales/NBAE through Getty Photos
Bueckers walked onto the ground Friday night time surrounded by cameras, chants and the load of expectation. She walked off with no illusions, no panic — and no want for perfection. It was simply one other step in a long-term journey in opposition to an opponent many choose as a preseason title favourite.
“Attending to the dream is just not sufficient,” Bueckers mentioned. “This can be a beginning basis, and we’ll construct off that the subsequent day.”
Chosen No. 1 general in April’s WNBA Draft, Bueckers entered the league as one among its most anticipated prospects in years. She took the court docket in entrance of a sold-out crowd at School Park Heart, the place her father stood courtside, visibly emotional throughout warmups. The cheers rose earlier than tipoff — and once more when Bueckers scored Dallas’ first factors of the season on a second-chance layup.
“The primary one’s all the time the toughest, normally,” she mentioned. “Simply having the ability to have a place to begin… now there’s no extra questions on your first WNBA recreation.”
Paige Bueckers Reveals Poise in a Bodily WNBA
Bueckers confirmed flashes of what made her a generational expertise at UConn — controlling tempo, delivering well timed passes, and preventing by means of contact. She assisted on a second-half go-ahead three from DiJonai Carrington and located methods to affect the sport regardless of restricted spacing and defensive stress from a veteran Lynx staff.
Her introduction to the physicality of the WNBA got here rapidly. At one level, she defended Napheesa Collier within the submit — a matchup that highlighted the educational curve.
“The fours are so much greater than those I needed to guard in faculty,” Bueckers mentioned. “There’s a degree of physicality and a shorter shot clock — so it’s about entering into our actions faster.”
Head coach Chris Koclanes praised Bueckers’ adaptability, particularly when paired with fellow guard Tyasha Harris.
“Ty brings one other chief, a way of calm,” Koclanes mentioned. “It permits us to maneuver Paige off the ball at occasions and relieves some stress.”
A Measured Mindset to Lead the Dallas Wings
Whereas Bueckers didn’t dominate the sport, she delivered what the Wings had been on the lookout for — steadiness, competitiveness, and indicators of what’s to come back. She was typically the primary to speak on switches and the final to surrender on a play.
“We favored loads of issues and we disliked some issues,” Bueckers mentioned. “So to proceed to construct on the issues that we favored and clear up the issues that we didn’t — sit up for that.”
Carrington, who began alongside her, appreciated the staff’s effort to remain collectively throughout the recreation’s turning level — a third-quarter run by Minnesota that flipped the momentum for good.
“Even once we obtained down, we had been nonetheless speaking to one another on the court docket, on the bench,” Carrington mentioned. “We didn’t throw within the towel, and I’m pleased with us for that.”
Shared UConn Roots, New Roles
The night time additionally reunited Bueckers with Collier, a fellow UConn alum and former USA Basketball 3×3 teammate who completed with 34 factors and eight rebounds. The 2 traded smiles and transient banter throughout a foul name within the first half.
“It’s extraordinarily enjoyable to play in opposition to Phee,” Bueckers mentioned. “She’s simply the last word competitor. That’s the last word signal of respect.”
Collier returned the praise postgame.
“I’m actually pleased with Paige,” she mentioned. “She’s so proficient. Simply tremendous proud that she broke the curse of UConn not profitable a championship in 10 years.”
Subsequent Problem
The Wings return to motion Monday, Might 19, after they host the Seattle Storm. Whereas the opener didn’t finish in victory, Bueckers left with precisely what she wanted: readability, a studying tape — and time.
“We don’t wish to simply cease right here,” she mentioned. “There’s a protracted season forward and much more work to do.”
