No doubt, DiJonai Carrington, who landed with the Dallas Wings as part of a four-team deal, has stepped up for the team every time she was needed. But this time, she won’t be able to do so—she’s out with a rib injury and will be missing her fourth consecutive game. Still, while she’s sidelined, her “sister” is making sure her absence isn’t felt, and she’s not doing it alone, leaving fans in awe. But who’s supporting her through it?
It all came to light as the Phoenix Mercury, looking to extend their winning streak, entered College Park Center. After all, they held a second place in the conference with a 12–5 record. On the other hand, the Wings were coming off a 79–71 win in their last game, thanks to JJ Quinerly and Aziaha James, but they were still sitting seventh in the West with a 5–13 record. So, you know just how tough it would be for a bottom-ranked team to take down one of the league’s top contenders.
But as the game unfolded, it was all about Aziaha James and Paige Bueckers rising to the occasion. James poured in 28 points, and Bueckers added 23, leading the charge among four rookies who started the game in a stunning 98–89 victory over the Mercury on Thursday night.
Dallas has the ROTY in Paige and the steal of the draft with Aziaha James.
— Daniel Pollock (@DanielP_49) July 4, 2025
And this wasn’t just another win, as it came on the heels of some huge news for Paige Bueckers. She was just named a starter for the 2025 WNBA All-Star Game, an incredible honor—the only first-year player to earn a starter spot that year. And with the way she’s been playing, it’s no surprise. Just consider that she’s averaging 18.4 points and 5.8 assists per game, numbers that also earned her the title of WNBA Rookie of the Month for June.
But wait, there’s more. She even pulled in over 800,000 fan votes, ranking fifth in media voting, fourth among players, and second in fan votes at her position. And here’s the kicker: She actually broke Caitlin Clark’s rookie fan vote record. Last season, Clark had 700,735 votes. This year? Bueckers passed that mark with ease. So clearly, it took some time, but PB is officially back in form, and the Wings might just have one of the best backcourt combinations in the league.
But today’s performance? It was something else. So you already know why motivated fans flooded the comment section in excitement!
Fans rave as Paige Bueckers and Aziaha James light up Dallas
Keeping up with tradition, fans didn’t hold back and flooded the comment section to show their amazement for the backcourt duo, and for all the right reasons. “Paige Bueckers Aziaha James backcourt,” penned one spectator. And yes, they’re right. After all, James scored 20 of her 28 points in the first half, hitting five three-pointers along with six rebounds and six assists. So you know the kind of impact she had on the game. Though she wasn’t alone. JJ Quinerly added a career-high 17 points, and Luisa Geiselsöder, fresh off her stint at the EuroBasket tournament, chipped in with four points.
“Aziaha James playing herself a game in Dallas,” wrote another fan. Well, it’s true—James fell to the 12th pick in the 2025 WNBA Draft, a shock not just to fans but also to Wings Executive VP and GM Curt Miller, who hadn’t expected the NC State star to remain on the board that long. But James didn’t hesitate to embrace the underdog role. She confidently told Miller, “You got your dog.” And now, it’s all shaping up to be reality.
“Aziaha James AKA Zaza… I owe you an apology, I was not familiar with your game,” said another fan. That makes sense. James had a slow start to her rookie season, averaging just 2.9 points in 7.7 minutes per game across her first seven appearances. But everything changed with a spark in Connecticut. There, she put up a then career-high 17 points, adding five rebounds and five assists, helping the Wings grab their first back-to-back wins of the season.
“That was our main goal—just keep getting to that free throw line and keep pushing,” she said after the game. “I’ve been shy about attacking the rim the past few games, but I had to turn it up and help my teammates out.” Since then, she’s been on a tear.
“Aziaha James is getting off against Phoenix right now!!! Another great pick that Dallas made this draft. She gets busyyyyy,” another user commented. And they weren’t wrong. Over her last five games, James has averaged 13.6 points, 4.2 rebounds, and nearly 29 minutes per game. Not only that—she’s shooting 46.7% from the field and a scorching 50% from beyond the arc. But her true breakout performance came against the Mercury, where she exploded for 28 points.
“Dallas has the ROTY in Paige and the steal of the draft with Aziaha James,” one fan summed it up perfectly. No doubt, it’s true. While Aziaha James may be the draft-day steal, Paige Bueckers, the No. 1 overall pick, continues to carry the weight of expectations—and deliver. Even when she’s missed time due to injury, like the recent game against the Washington Mystics, it’s clear just how much her presence elevates this team. But yes, it was not as easy for the rookies as it seems to be, because they were with a brand-new coach, only three returning players, and a 1–9 start.
And then, it was No. 1 stepping up in the chaos and quickly taking control. Further, she became the fastest rook in W’s history to hit 200+ points, with 50+ rebounds and 50+ assists in just 11 games. And yes, it was her, despite missing time due to concussion and knee discomfort.
But behind all the numbers lies a mindset built for greatness. “No, I don’t live to anybody else’s expectations or what I’m supposed to look like,” Bueckers said after being named an All-Star starter. “I just go out there and play every single game and every single possession as it is… and the results may vary. So whatever that looks like on any given night, you live with the results.” It’s this grounded approach that has not only earned her respect across the league but also helped her surpass CC’s rookie record.
From elite-level production to mental resilience, Bueckers is proving she’s more than ready to carry a franchise and dominate at the highest level. And that’s how the two are pairing up as one of the best backcourt duos!
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