Paige Bueckers Reaches Impressive Career Milestone in Return From Injury
When the Dallas Wings secured the No. 1 overall pick in the WNBA Draft Lottery, it was clear they had their sights set on one player — former UConn star and national champion Paige Bueckers.
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Bueckers has impressed early in her rookie campaign, showcasing the skills that made her one of the most highly anticipated prospects in years. However, her strong start was briefly interrupted after she entered concussion protocol, forcing her to miss the Wings' last four games.
On Wednesday night, Bueckers made her much-anticipated return as the 1–9 Wings faced the Phoenix Mercury — and she didn't miss a beat. She came out firing, knocking down her first six shots from the field and finishing the first half with 22 points, five rebounds, two assists, one steal, and one block.
Her first-half performance wasn't just impactful — it was historic. According to "Polymarket Hoops," Bueckers became the fourth-fastest rookie in WNBA history to record at least 100 points, 25 rebounds, and 25 assists. The only players to achieve the milestone faster were Caitlin Clark, Candace Parker, and Cynthia Cooper.
Entering Wednesday night, through six regular season games, Bueckers was averaging an impressive 14.7 points, 6.7 assists, 4.7 rebounds, and 2.0 steals per game. She's also been efficient, shooting 43.7% from the field, 33.3% from 3-point range, and 80.8% from the free-throw line.
Dallas Wings guard Paige Bueckers is seen during the first half against the Chicago Sky at the Wintrust Arena.Patrick Gorski-Imagn Images
Despite her strong individual performance, the Wings have struggled collectively. Their 1–9 record is currently the worst in the league. However, there's room for optimism — three of their next four opponents after Wednesday's matchup against the Mercury have sub-.500 records, giving Dallas a real opportunity to start turning things around.
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Related: Chicago Sky Face Backlash Over Angel Reese Announcement After Loss to New York Liberty
This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 12, 2025, where it first appeared.
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