Paige Bueckers on First WNBA Matchup with Caitlin Clark: “It’s Always Fun to Compete Against Each Other”
Sunday marked a special moment in the WNBA, as standout guards Caitlin Clark and Paige Bueckers went head-to-head for the first time in their professional careers. The highly anticipated matchup between two of women’s basketball’s brightest young stars offered a glimpse into the league’s promising future.
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Despite the Indiana Fever’s dominant 102-83 win over the Dallas Wings, Bueckers put up another strong performance in her Rookie of the Year campaign, finishing with 21 points on 9-of-15 shooting, along with four rebounds, four assists, and two steals. Clark, while struggling with her shot (4-for-12), contributed in other ways, racking up 13 assists and tying her career high with five steals.
A Longstanding Rivalry and Friendship
Bueckers and Clark have a history that goes back to their days as AAU rivals and Team USA teammates, as well as fierce competitors during their college careers. Sunday’s contest was their first professional face-off—and it lived up to expectations.
“Competing against each other is always fun,” said Bueckers, who’s averaging 18.3 points, 5.4 assists, 4.1 rebounds, and 1.7 steals this season. “We’re both ultra-competitive and grew up playing with and against each other, so these moments are special.”
Clark, last season’s Rookie of the Year, wasn’t surprised by Bueckers’ success. She praised her longtime friend and former teammate for continuing to play with the same maturity and poise she’s shown for years.
“She’s always had that smooth, composed style—never forcing the game,” Clark said. “Her midrange has been elite since back in our Team USA days, and she knows how to score at every level. She’s confident, plays beyond her years, and makes high-level plays consistently.”
Though Dallas has struggled this season with just six wins in 22 games, Clark expressed optimism for their future with Bueckers leading the charge.
“I really respect her game and her mentality,” Clark said. “She never backs down from a challenge and always shows up ready to compete. That’s something you truly admire in another player.”
A new rivalry is born
While the ongoing rivalry between Caitlin Clark and Chicago Sky forward Angel Reese continues to be the league’s biggest attraction, Indiana Fever head coach Stephanie White believes the budding competition between Clark and Paige Bueckers is poised to become just as iconic—captivating fans of the WNBA and basketball alike for years to come.
White drew parallels to the legendary rivalry between Sheryl Swoopes and Lisa Leslie during her own playing days, suggesting that Clark and Bueckers could be this generation’s equivalent.
“People want to see stars go head-to-head. It’s the same reason fans tune in for LeBron vs. Steph,” White explained. “Watching Caitlin and Paige face off for the first time in the WNBA was something special.”
Although the Fever’s win came by a wide margin, the game still offered an exciting preview of what’s shaping up to be a compelling and long-lasting rivalry between two of the league’s most talented young stars.
