'Being Where Our Feet Are': Paige Bueckers Makes WNBA History in Minnesota Return

Bueckers is now the second rookie in Dallas Wings franchise history to achieve a points-assist double-double. She joins elite rookie company league-wide — a group that includes All-Star point guards and No. 1 overall picks — and showed a growing command of the offense in just her third appearance.

Her 10 assists were a game high and a season high, continuing a three-game progression in which she’s increased both her assist and steal totals each outing. The former UConn standout also played a key role in the Wings’ fourth-quarter surge, assisting on critical baskets to keep Dallas within striking distance.

“I think just having the ball in my hands a little bit more, trying to create plays for my teammates and for myself,” she said. “A lot of times we’re just making the right play as a team.”

Among those impressed with Bueckers’ performance was Minnesota forward and fellow UConn alum Napheesa Collier.

“I think Paige is going to be really good,” Collier said postgame. “She’s a three-level scorer, great passer. Rookie year is hard, so I’d tell her there are going to be ups and downs. But she’s staying aggressive and that’s what she needs to do—lead her team and take advantage of the opportunity.”

Home-State Brilliance

The milestone came on the court where Bueckers once watched Minnesota Lynx stars and where she played state tournaments in high school. Target Center was packed with fans in Hopkins and UConn jerseys, and Bueckers responded with poise, control, and leadership.

“We’ve been talking about as a team—just being where our feet are,” she said. “Not really focusing on any exterior things, but what we want to be as an interior group and what we want to be as an organization and as a team.”

With the crowd behind her, she delivered a statement not just with stats, but with presence. She assisted on a clutch three-pointer by Arike Ogunbowale in the final minute to bring Dallas within two and was active defensively throughout.

“You try to reflect that every single time you play—with the passion and joy and heart that you play with,” Bueckers said. “So you take it and carry it with you wherever you go.”

Bueckers still has plenty of room to grow through her first three WNBA games. She’s averaging 13.7 points, 4.7 rebounds, 6.7 assists, and 1.7 steals — all while adjusting to the pace and physicality of the league. Her shooting efficiency hasn’t fully settled in yet: she’s shooting 37.1% from the field and 33.3% from deep, below the near 50-40-90 clip she posted during her final season at UConn.

But given her playmaking control, defensive activity, and ability to lead in big moments, it’s clear her scoring averages — and her impact — are only going to rise.