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Paige Bueckers didn’t have to attend lengthy to make an impression in her first dwelling sport as knowledgeable. In entrance of a packed Faculty Park Middle, the No. 1 total choose within the 2025 WNBA Draft delivered a poised and environment friendly efficiency in her Dallas Wings debut in Arlington, ending with 15 factors, 5 rebounds, and 6 assists, and a viral spotlight in a 119–52 preseason win over the Toyota Antelopes.
“It was nice—nice setting,” Bueckers mentioned after the sport. “It was a fantastic turnout for the preseason sport to get that first expertise at Faculty Park Middle in entrance of the Dallas crowd.”
The Wings drew a sellout crowd of 6,251 on Saturday night time, with followers desperate to see Bueckers take the ground in her new dwelling enviornment. The second felt like the start of a brand new period for the franchise—one led by the previous UConn celebrity identified for her playmaking aptitude and aggressive edge.
She didn’t disappoint.
After an early 8-0 Antelopes run, Bueckers responded along with her first basket at Faculty Park Middle—a easy jumper that tied the sport at 10–10. From there, Dallas took over, closing the primary quarter on a 21–4 run and by no means wanting again.
Bueckers added her signature contact shortly after, gathering a tipped ball and firing a no-look, crosscourt bullet to Arike Ogunbowale for a fast-break layup that rapidly made the rounds on-line.
OH MY PAIGE BUECKERS 😱
Put again and insane passing expertise on show from the rook!
Stream LIVE on the WNBA App. pic.twitter.com/ZRqypyTKYn
— WNBA (@WNBA) Could 11, 2025
“Paige simply will get you simple buckets,” Ogunbowale mentioned. “Even in the event you suppose she doesn’t see you, she sees you. I noticed the spotlight within the locker room—it was dope. However that’s simply gonna be all yr, so I’m enthusiastic about that.”
Paige Bueckers Rising as a Flooring Normal
For Bueckers, the spotlight got here naturally. She credited Maddy Siegrist’s hustle to maintain the possession alive and mentioned she instinctively noticed Ogunbowale within the nook of her eye and made the go as quick as attainable earlier than the protection might react.
However her focus was on rather more than flashy performs. As she continues her transition to the WNBA, Bueckers mentioned she’s putting a serious emphasis on utilizing her voice, organizing the offense, and rising into her function as some extent guard.
“Higher than the primary sport. I’m attempting to construct each sport and enhance,” Bueckers mentioned. “Getting extra reps in follow helps with confidence to arrange issues in video games. However the teaching employees and my teammates assist loads—it’s not a solo mission. Simply attempting to develop every sport.”
Her efficiency helped the Wings end with 34 assists on 50 made subject targets. She and Ogunbowale every dished out six assists, main a staff that had seven gamers rating in double figures. Head coach Chris Koclanes mentioned he was impressed with how Bueckers has steadily picked up the system.
“She’s already an unimaginable playmaker,” Koclanes mentioned. “What we’re seeing now could be her beginning to perceive the frequent shapes and reads in our offense and main with objective. She simply retains getting higher each day out.”
Chemistry with Backcourt and Fanbase
Bueckers’ presence within the backcourt offers Dallas a dynamic pairing alongside Ogunbowale. Each guards are able to creating for themselves and others, and each confirmed a willingness to share the ball and discover teammates all through the night time. For Bueckers, it’s clear that staff success is on the forefront.
“We simply feed off one another,” she mentioned. “We’re aggressive on the lookout for pictures, however we’re additionally aggressive in creating for others. We’re unselfish in transferring the ball and desirous to get one of the best shot accessible.”
The night time was additionally a celebration of tradition and collaboration. The Wings and Antelopes participated in a ceremonial reward alternate at halfcourt earlier than tipoff. The Japanese nationwide anthem was performed alongside the Star-Spangled Banner. Mai Yamamoto, a longtime Antelopes guard at the moment in Wings coaching camp, performed in entrance of representatives from each groups.
“It was only a cool collaboration,” Koclanes mentioned. “Nice power within the constructing. Nice to see our followers get behind this group so rapidly.”
For Bueckers, the debut was one other small step in what she hopes can be a protracted and profitable journey in Dallas. However greater than something, it was about lastly enjoying in entrance of the followers who had been ready since draft night time to see her in teal.
“I used to be simply excited to be on the market,” she mentioned. “It felt good to play in entrance of the followers and simply be with my staff. That’s what makes it enjoyable.”
Paige Bueckers would not play once more till Could 16 when the Dallas Wings host the Minnesota Lynx in a nationally-televised common season opener.
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