In an exciting display of talent and determination, Dallas Wings rookie Paige Bueckers made a strong comeback to the WNBA on Wednesday night. She scored a career-high 35 points in a game against the Phoenix Mercury, which was part of the Commissioner’s Cup.
Even with Bueckers’ amazing performance, the Wings lost the game 93-80, bringing their record to the worst in the league at 1-10. The game took place at PHX Arena and showed Bueckers’ skills but also revealed the ongoing difficulties for the Dallas team.
Bueckers was the first overall pick in the 2025 WNBA Draft. Before this game, she had to sit out four games because of a concussion from a match on May 29 against the Chicago Sky, and then she faced an illness that delayed her return even longer.
Finally cleared to play without any restrictions, Bueckers quickly made her presence felt. She started the game strong, making her first five shots in the first quarter. By halftime, she had 22 points, shooting 8 out of 10, including all three of her attempts from three-point range.
Her 22 points in the first half were the third-highest by a rookie in the history of the Wings, according to the team’s official social media account.
By the end of the game, Bueckers had shot 13 out of 19 from the field (68%) and 5 out of 7 from three-point range. She also contributed six rebounds, four assists, one steal, and one block in 37 minutes.
This game was not just a personal achievement for Bueckers; it put her name in the record books. She became one of only two rookies in WNBA history, joining Caitlin Clark from the Indiana Fever, to score over 35 points and make more than five three-pointers in a single game, a fact celebrated by the WNBA’s official social media account.
During the game, Bueckers also reached a personal milestone by scoring her 100th career point, marking it with a layup in the first quarter. This highlighted her quick progress in the league.
Despite Bueckers’ great effort, the Wings could not defeat the well-rounded Mercury team, which was led by Stou Sabally’s 20 points and 10 rebounds, including four three-pointers.
The Phoenix team improved its record to 7-4, taking advantage of the Dallas team’s lack of teamwork. Head coach Chris Koclanes pointed out that the team struggles with consistency throughout the game.
Other players on the Wings, like Arike Ogunbowale, could not match Bueckers’ scoring, making her the only bright spot in the game.
After the game, Bueckers shared her thoughts with reporters, saying, “I felt a little tired coming back from my break, and I think I could have spoken up more, been more aggressive. I should have gotten more rebounds.”
The loss highlighted the bigger issues the Dallas team faces, as they are now on a six-game losing streak. However, Bueckers’ return gives hope to a franchise looking for a leader for the future.
As the Wings work to improve their season, all eyes will be on their rookie star, whose performance against Phoenix showed she is ready to take charge.
