Despite the heartbreaking loss, Paige Bueckers’ remarkable rookie campaign continued to build on history.
The Dallas Wings and Atlanta Dream delivered a thrilling showdown on Wednesday night, capped by Naz Hillmon’s clutch three-pointer in the final seconds that sealed an 88-85 victory for the Dream. Dallas clawed back from an eight-point deficit and even took the lead with about two minutes left, but Atlanta ultimately pulled ahead in the closing moments.
Hillmon paced the Dream with 21 points off the bench, hitting an efficient 7-of-9 from the field. She was one of five Atlanta players to score in double digits, joined by Allisha Gray (15 points, 7 assists, 6 rebounds), Brionna Jones (14 points, 6 boards, 3 assists, 2 steals, 2 blocks), Maya Caldwell (13 points), and Te-Hina Paopao (11 points, 8 rebounds, 6 assists).
For Dallas, Bueckers matched Hillmon for the game-high with 21 points, though she shot 8-of-20 from the field. Still, she showcased her poise with 7 assists and no turnovers. Three other Wings starters also scored in double figures: Luisa Geiselsoder (13 points, 4 rebounds), Arike Ogunbowale (12 points), and Haley Jones, who has made an impact since joining the team, adding 12 points, 3 rebounds, and 3 assists.
Paige Bueckers Continues Making WNBA History
Paige Bueckers is rapidly building a case as one of the most outstanding and impactful rookies the WNBA has seen in recent memory. Even in a tough loss, the Dallas Wings guard continued to etch her name into the record books, adding yet another series of milestones to an already historic debut season. Bueckers has now scored in double figures in every single game of her professional career—22 straight games and counting. That puts her just one game shy of tying Natalie Williams for the fifth-longest such streak by a rookie in league history, a mark that has stood for years.
Adding to her growing list of accomplishments, Bueckers recently became the fastest WNBA rookie in over 20 years to reach the 400-point milestone. She hit that mark in just 22 games, matching the pace set by Hall of Famer Cynthia Cooper, who reached the same total during her legendary 1997 campaign with the Houston Comets—the WNBA’s inaugural season. That’s rarefied air, especially for someone in their first year.
But Bueckers isn’t just scoring—she’s doing it with efficiency and poise well beyond her years. She now holds the WNBA rookie record for the most games with at least 20 points, 5 assists, and zero turnovers, having done so twice already. No other rookie has done that more than once in league history. With 16 regular season games still remaining—and assuming she stays healthy—there’s a strong chance that Bueckers will continue to rewrite what’s possible for first-year players.
The Wings have taken a cautious approach with Bueckers throughout the season, especially when it comes to managing her workload on back-to-back nights. Fortunately for Dallas, the team doesn’t face any more back-to-back games for the remainder of the schedule, which means Bueckers should have more opportunities to stay in rhythm and chase more records without risking overuse.
Next up, the Wings wrap up their four-game homestand with a highly anticipated showdown against the Indiana Fever. The game has the potential to feature a marquee rookie matchup, but it remains to be seen if Caitlin Clark will take the court. The Fever star has been nursing a nagging groin injury that has kept her questionable for recent contests, and her availability for this game in Dallas is still uncertain. Whether or not Clark plays, all eyes will be on Bueckers as she continues her jaw-dropping rookie campaign.
