The Dallas Wings entered Friday’s game against the Golden State Valkyries riding high after a dominant 87-63 win over the Seattle Storm on Tuesday—their first game following the WNBA All-Star break, led by Paige Bueckers and company.
But that momentum didn’t last. The Wings came back down to earth with an 86-76 defeat at the hands of the Valkyries at Chase Center.
Paige Bueckers Comes Up Big for the Wings
Paige Bueckers gave it her all for the Wings, leading the team with 17 points on 7-of-15 shooting. She also added one rebound, six assists, four steals, and two three-pointers in 37 minutes on the court.
Despite her strong performance, it wasn’t enough to lift Dallas to a win. Still, the Wings took to social media after the game to recognize the rookie’s impact, naming Bueckers their Player of the Game.
Although Bueckers’ performance wasn’t enough to secure a win, the Dallas Wings still made sure to acknowledge her impact. Shortly after the loss, the team took to social media to name the rookie their Player of the Game.
“Paige is your @childrens Player of the Game tonight 😁” the Wings posted on X.
Bueckers’ Effort Not Enough for the Wings
Despite the team’s struggles, Paige Bueckers has been a steady bright spot for the Dallas Wings during what’s shaping up to be another tough season. Heading into Friday’s game, the 23-year-old rookie was averaging 18.2 points on 44.9% shooting, along with 4.0 rebounds, 5.5 assists, and 1.7 steals in 34.5 minutes per game.
Even with Bueckers’ consistent contributions, Dallas continues to falter. Friday’s loss marked their 18th of the season, dropping them to 7-18 overall. The Wings now sit second-to-last in the WNBA standings, ahead of only the 3-20 Connecticut Sun.
The Wings won’t have much time to regroup, as they’re set to face a challenging back-to-back. They’ll take on the Las Vegas Aces (12-13) on Sunday, followed by a showdown with the defending champion New York Liberty (17-6) on Monday.
