Paige Bueckers didn’t have to attend lengthy to make an impression in her first house recreation as an expert. In entrance of a packed School Park Heart, the No. 1 general decide 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 atmosphere,” Bueckers mentioned after the sport. “It was an amazing turnout for the preseason recreation to get that first expertise at School Park Heart in entrance of the Dallas crowd.”
The Wings drew a sellout crowd of 6,251 on Saturday night time, with followers desirous to see Bueckers take the ground in her new house area. The second felt like the start of a brand new period for the franchise—one led by the previous UConn famous person 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 School Park Heart—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, accumulating 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 if you happen to assume 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 Basic
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 cross as quick as attainable earlier than the protection might react.
However her focus was on way more than flashy performs. As she continues her transition to the WNBA, Bueckers mentioned she’s inserting a serious emphasis on utilizing her voice, organizing the offense, and rising into her position as a degree guard.
“Higher than the primary recreation. I’m attempting to construct each recreation and enhance,” Bueckers mentioned. “Getting extra reps in apply helps with confidence to prepare issues in video games. However the teaching employees and my teammates assist loads—it’s not a solo mission. Simply attempting to develop every recreation.”
Her efficiency helped the Wings end with 34 assists on 50 made area objectives. She and Ogunbowale every dished out six assists, main a crew 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’s her beginning to perceive the widespread shapes and reads in our offense and main with function. She simply retains getting higher each outing.”
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 crew success is on the forefront.
“We simply feed off one another,” she mentioned. “We’re aggressive searching for photographs, however we’re additionally aggressive in creating for others. We’re unselfish in shifting the ball and desirous to get the perfect shot accessible.”
The night time was additionally a celebration of tradition and collaboration. The Wings and Antelopes participated in a ceremonial present change at halfcourt earlier than tipoff. The Japanese nationwide anthem was performed alongside the Star-Spangled Banner. Mai Yamamoto, a longtime Antelopes guard presently in Wings coaching camp, performed in entrance of representatives from each groups.
“It was only a cool collaboration,” Koclanes mentioned. “Nice vitality 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 an extended 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 crew. 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.
