“I’m alright, I got it checked out,” Paige Bueckers told reporters after pulling her back muscle over a week ago. But she ended up missing a game before she suited up again. Given how the Wings’ season has unfolded, there would have been no reason to rush her back. But this is Paige, determined to play every chance she gets. “Hopefully it won’t take me out,” she had wished. And for Dallas, the outcome has been just as necessary.
The Wings were finally able to come out of their 5-game losing streak with a narrow win over an injury-hit Indiana Fever squad. They were up by as many as 17 points at one stage, but in the end, it came down to an 80-81 finish. Chris Koclanes’ squad won’t be complaining, especially with Arike Ogunbowale out, but it’s clear the organization is asking a lot from Bueckers right now.
As mentioned earlier, Paige is still easing her way back from that back injury, which she suffered after leaving midway through the third quarter in the game against the Liberty. Tonight against the Fever, she gave fans another scare. The young guard hit the floor hard in the final seconds of the second quarter after a collision with Lexie Hull. Credit to Paige for staying in, but it’s clear she’s feeling the weight. Even coach Koclanes admitted later that his star guard is carrying a pretty heavy load right now due to forced circumstances.
Addressing the media after the game, the HC revealed how they were trying to run every play through the rookie despite her being only half-fit due to the absence of Ogunbowale, who missed the game with right knee soreness.
“She’s just going to make the right play over and over. You look at that, right? Six for 19, not her best, most efficient game from the field –but those eight assists. And with Arike out, she shouldered such a load. You know that gets to you when we’re asking you to make play after play after play. But she’s just an incredible rookie,” he said.
Jun 27, 2025; Dallas, Texas, USA; Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham (8) looks to pass the ball by Dallas Wings guard Paige Bueckers (5) during the second quarter at the American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images
As a matter of fact, Paige did have her struggles tonight, finishing with 16 points on 6-for-19 shooting. The Fever’s defense was all over her, sending double-teams her way all game, which led to 4 turnovers –the most by any Wings player tonight. But that didn’t stop her from making an impact in the game. She ended up providing 8 assists for her teammates proving once again that she can influence a game even when her shot isn’t falling.
But it wasn’t just on the offensive side of the game that Paige had an impact. Coach Koclanes was quick to point that out as well! “Yeah, just the physicality, moving her feet, staying straight up, just not backing down,” he said when asked about Paige’s contribution on the other end. Bueckers ended the game with 5 rebounds and 2 steals, further establishing herself as an interior defensive presence for the team as well.
With so much on her plate, it’s no surprise Paige looked burnt out at times , something Koclanes acknowledged too. But even with the heavy workload, she still broke records. At this point, it’s starting to feel like a postgame ritual to mention it after every Dallas game, and that’s exactly what makes her such a special player.
Paige Bueckers breaks another record
For Bueckers, the record book has been endless. After becoming the fastest rookie to score 450+ points, grab 100+ rebounds, and dish out 100+ assists in the last game against the Mystics, the UConn alumna has now added even more chapters to her record-breaking story.
Following the win against the Fever, Bueckers now holds the second-most games by a rookie in WNBA history with 15+ points and 5+ assists, according to Real Sports. The only rookie ahead of her on the list? None other than Caitlin Clark. The former UConn superstar also extended her streak of double-digit scoring to 26 games!
This season might not have gone the way Wings fans hoped, but there’s still plenty to be excited about. Much of the focus is on Paige Bueckers and her battle with Sonia Citron for Rookie of the Year. But Dallas’ young core still has a way to go, making a case for future investment.
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