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Paige Bueckers Takes Hits, Wings Coach Calls Out Officiating

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Matt De Lima | Last updated Aug 25, 2025 10:54 AM ET

The Dallas Wings’ struggles continued Sunday night in a 90-81 loss to the Golden State Valkyries, but coach Chris Koclanes shifted focus after the game. His message was not about the box score, but about the physical toll rookie guard Paige Bueckers has been absorbing without much help from WNBA officiating.

For much of the night, Bueckers was the center of attention, drawing contact on drives, fighting through double-teams and still managing to create opportunities for her teammates. Yet the whistles stayed silent, leaving both her stat line and her body marked by the absence of calls. Koclanes, visibly animated throughout the second half, made it clear afterward that he felt his star rookie had been left unprotected.

Bueckers finished with nine points and nine assists, logging heavy minutes and repeatedly driving into the paint. By scoring fewer than 10 points, Golden State ended Bueckers' double-digit scoring streak at 30 games.

Despite the constant contact, Bueckers attempted just two free throws. The lack of whistles left Koclanes visibly frustrated, and his fourth-quarter technical foul underscored just how far he felt officials had let things go.

Paige Bueckers Faces Heavy Contact, Few Calls

Koclanes was adamant that his technical foul was as much about solidarity as it was about officiating. He pointed to a sequence in which Bueckers was knocked down on a box out and questioned how much more contact she would have to endure before drawing fouls.

“The whistle wasn’t going our way, and then I see Paige get run over,” Koclanes said, via reporting from Grant Afseth of Dallas Hoops Journal. “How many times does she have to be on the ground before she gets protection? I had to step in and show our players I have their back.”

Wings coach Chris Koclanes called out how Paige Bueckers was officiated vs. the Valkyries.

Koclanes: “How many times does she have to be on the ground before she gets protection? I had to step in and show our players I have their back.”

Read more: https://t.co/n96yjxNBeh
— Grant Afseth (@GrantAfseth) August 25, 2025

Bueckers has become the focal point of defensive schemes across the league, often facing multiple defenders while opponents force Dallas to win elsewhere. Her numbers still reflect her playmaking — she dished nine assists Sunday while continuing to pressure the rim — but the growing physicality has left her vulnerable to hard collisions.

Koclanes praised her resilience, pointing out her ability to move past contact and make the right reads. “She just has a next-play mentality,” he said. “She had nine assists, made the right plays and kept attacking. But other people around her have to step up and make some shots too.”

Dallas Wings Lean on Identity Amid Adversity

The Wings’ 9-29 record reflects a season shaped by injuries and inconsistency, but Koclanes has repeatedly stressed perspective as a cornerstone of his coaching approach. He emphasizes gratitude, accountability and character as tools for navigating difficult stretches.

“We’re not saying it’s OK to lose, but we do have standards and accountability,” Koclanes said. “When you show up with that gratitude and perspective every day, long-term it helps us. We’ve got fantastic people in that locker room who stick together and want to get better.”

That mindset is echoed by veteran Myisha Hines-Allen, who scored 15 points against Golden State. She said her focus has been on maintaining energy and resilience, especially as injuries have worn down the roster. “Nobody feels sorry for us,” Hines-Allen said. “It’s about who puts on the jersey and gives energy.”

The season has not delivered many wins, but Koclanes said he believes Bueckers’ emergence and the team’s locker room culture remain important building blocks. With Dallas firmly in rebuilding mode, he sees progress that will extend beyond the current standings.

“We had moments, but not enough,” Koclanes said. “I continue to challenge this group, and we’ll continue to watch, learn and get better as this goes on.”

The Wings, with only one win in their last 11 contests, have six games remaining on their 2025 schedule. Up next, Dallas hosts the Connecticut Sun on Wednesday, a team against which they hold a 2-0 series lead this season.

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

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