Paige Bueckers, the highly anticipated No. 1 overall pick in the 2025 WNBA draft, etched her name in the league's record books despite the Dallas Wings' 94-86 loss to the Indiana Fever on Friday. In a game that was supposed to be a showdown between Bueckers and Caitlin Clark, who was sidelined with a groin injury, Bueckers delivered a performance for the ages, becoming the first player in WNBA history to record at least 25 points, 5 assists, 2 steals, and 2 blocks with zero turnovers.
Bueckers finished the game with 27 points on 9-of-18 shooting, including 2-of-3 from beyond the arc, and a perfect 7-of-7 from the free-throw line. She also added 6 assists, 2 steals, and 2 blocks in 36 minutes of play. Despite her impressive stat line, Bueckers was more focused on the loss, as the Wings fell to 4-13 on the season.
"Obviously, uh, it's hard in this league to come back because every team's really good, so getting in the hole like that is tough," Bueckers said after the game. "But we definitely showed fight, but um, we can't start off like that in the first." The Wings struggled mightily in the first quarter, shooting just 4-of-14 from the field and falling behind 33-13. While they outscored the Fever 73-61 in the final three quarters, the early deficit proved too much to overcome.
Bueckers, however, found her rhythm as the game progressed, sparking a Wings rally with a long three-pointer at the halftime buzzer. She continued her strong play in the second half, driving the Wings' comeback attempt with her scoring and playmaking. Dallas briefly took the lead in the fourth quarter, but the Fever responded with a 9-0 run to seal the victory.
Kelsey Mitchell led the Fever with 32 points, while Aliyah Boston added 21 points and 13 rebounds. Arike Ogunbowale scored 15 points for the Wings.
Bueckers' historic performance comes as no surprise to those who have followed her career. Before entering the WNBA, she was a dominant force at UConn, winning multiple national player of the year awards as a freshman. Despite missing significant time due to injuries, Bueckers led the Huskies to the national championship game.
Since joining the Wings, Bueckers has quickly established herself as a key player, averaging 17.7 points, 5.8 assists, and 4.7 rebounds per game. She leads all rookies in scoring and is among the league leaders in assists. Beyond her on-court performance, Bueckers has also impressed with her maturity and leadership. She has embraced her role as the face of the franchise and has spoken out on important issues, such as the pressure faced by Caitlin Clark.
Looking ahead, the Wings will need to build around Bueckers to become consistent winners. With her talent, work ethic, and leadership, Bueckers has the potential to be a franchise cornerstone for years to come. As Breanna Stewart noted, "What she's done this year, in such a year of unknown, is actually ridiculous. She doesn't look like a freshman, that's for sure".
