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Paige Bueckers’ Response After Dallas Wings’ Sixth Straight Loss

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Robert Marvi | Last updated Jun 12, 2025 2:18 AM ET

After missing four games while in concussion protocol, Paige Bueckers returned to action for the Dallas Wings on Wednesday.

She had her best game yet as a pro by exploding for 35 points on 13-of-19 shooting from the field and hitting five of her seven 3-point attempts while adding six rebounds, four assists, one steal and one block. But the rookie couldn't prevent the Wings from losing to the Phoenix Mercury, 93-80.

They now have a putrid 1-10 record, which is the worst mark in the WNBA. Bueckers was used to winning in college at UConn, and she talked about how she is dealing with losses in bunches as a pro.

"It's challenging but very rewarding in a sense of you being super process-oriented and not result-oriented," she said. "How we want to have a set of standards, build a culture and have a way we do things and stick to that regardless of wins or losses... Then the results will follow and will come as we continue to stay disciplined in who we are every single day.

"Just trying to lead by example, lead with my voice and just have difficult conversations. Get to know these people on and off the court and continue to build that chemistry... Just like anything in life, it's a journey."

Paige Bueckers provided an insightful response while discussing how she is learning to lead in the WNBA amid the Wings' adversity:

"It's challenging but very rewarding in a sense of you being super process-oriented and not result-oriented. How we want to have a set of…
— Joey Mistretta (@JoeyMistretta_) June 12, 2025

When Bueckers was at UConn, the school always reached at least the Sweet Sixteen round of the women's NCAA Tournament. In fact, during that time, the only instance in which the Huskies didn't get to the Final Four was when she missed all of the 2022-23 season with an injury.

Just a couple of months ago, they won it all by blasting South Carolina in the title game. For her college career, she averaged 19.8 points, 4.7 rebounds and 4.6 assists a game while shooting 53.1% from the field and 42.3% from downtown.

But she is now playing for a Wings franchise that has struggled in recent years. It has won just one playoff series since 2009, when it was known as the Shock and moved from Detroit to Tulsa, Okla.

In the meantime, look for Bueckers to continue to show patience as she develops her game and looks to become the WNBA's next superstar.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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