Paige Bueckers came back to Connecticut on Thursday night and basically treated the crowd to a masterclass. The Dallas Wings took an 86-83 win over the Sun, and Bueckers was the reason it happened.
She put up 25 points, seven rebounds, and seven assists on 9-of-14 shooting. That kind of stat line is becoming routine. It was her 11th game this season with at least 20 points, and the sixth time she’s gone over 25. Not bad for someone still technically in her second WNBA season.
The funny part? The fans in Connecticut didn’t even boo her. They cheered. Because for them, Bueckers is still the same player who dragged UConn to a national title in 2025. It’s rare to see a visiting player get that kind of love on the road, but Bueckers isn’t most players. She’s got this almost gravitational pull in that arena — the kind of connection that doesn’t really fade when you switch jerseys.
The Wings Are Becoming Something Real
Dallas is now 12-8. That already beats their total win count from all of last season by two. And the leap isn’t just about Bueckers putting up numbers. She’s always been able to score. What’s changed is the efficiency.
Coming into Thursday, she was shooting over 50% from the field and around 39% from three. That’s not a hot streak. That’s a shift in how she plays. She’s picking her spots better, making quicker decisions, and letting the game come to her instead of forcing things. The Sun defense tried everything and she still shot 64% from the floor.
The Wings have turned into a playoff-level team in Bueckers’ second year, and a lot of that comes down to her running the show at the point of attack. She’s the one pulling the strings, setting the pace, and making sure everybody eats.
What’s Next
Dallas keeps rolling on Sunday when they face the Toronto Tempo. That’s the second game of a four-game East coast trip. If Bueckers keeps playing like this, the road might not matter much.
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