'We Need That': Paige Bueckers, Aziaha James Lead Dallas Wings Past Connecticut Sun for Second Straight Win

The second quarter saw Bueckers take control. She opened the frame with a three-pointer to give Dallas its largest lead of the game at 24–15. Connecticut responded with a 10–0 run to briefly take the lead, and the rest of the period featured five more lead changes. Still, the Wings carried a 42–40 edge into halftime.

Bueckers was dominant early, scoring 16 first-half points on 7-of-11 shooting. She guided the offense with pace and control, finding ways to counter Connecticut’s physicality. Her seven assists on the night marked a new career high, and she became the only WNBA rookie this season with three 15-point, five-rebound, five-assist games.

“It’s always amazing to come back [to Connecticut],” Bueckers said. “They’ve always shown so much love to me. This state has done a lot for me. To come back and win—especially with how we played together as a team—makes it really special.”

Head coach Chris Koclanes praised her impact and decision-making, especially when her scoring slowed in the second half. He highlighted how she continued to guide the offense, find teammates, and anchor the backcourt defensively despite not making a field goal after halftime.

“Even on a night like tonight, we’re in that game because she carries us in the first half,” Koclanes said. “Then in the second half, she doesn’t hit a field goal but has five assists, plays fantastic defense, and continues to make winning plays.”

Koclanes also commended her perimeter defense on Marina Mabrey, who was held to just eight points on 2-of-10 shooting. Bueckers stayed locked in on the assignment, contesting shots, fighting through screens, and helping limit Mabrey’s catch-and-shoot looks throughout the night.

“Paige was on her a bunch and competed like crazy,” he said. “We gave [Mabrey] different looks and kept her on her heels.”

James Ignites Second-Half Push

The third quarter belonged to James. Scoreless in the first half, the rookie guard erupted for 10 points during a 12–0 run that gave Dallas a 56–47 lead midway through the period. Connecticut responded with a 15–6 stretch to tie the game at 62–62 with 1:18 remaining, but James calmly answered with a floater to put the Wings back in front for good.

She played with confidence and flair, flashing her full offensive package and making key reads. One of her most memorable plays came late when she found Yueru on a behind-the-back dime in transition.

“[NaLyssa] was coming in behind me,” James said. “So, you know, I just had to do a little flashiness.”

She added seven more points in the fourth quarter, including clutch free throws and timely drives, finishing with a career-high 17 points, five rebounds, five assists, and three steals on 5-of-7 shooting. She went 7-of-8 from the free-throw line and committed just two turnovers in 24 minutes.

“I’ve been shy about attacking the rim the past few games,” she said. “But I had to turn it up and help my teammates out—they were in foul trouble, so I just kept getting to that free throw line.”

Koclanes said the breakout performance was a product of patience and preparation, and a breakthrough moment for the rookie.

“It’s natural, right? The rookie year—you’re feeling it out. When’s your opportunity coming?” he said. “So for her to be able to respond the way she did is just fantastic. I know our team has been wanting it for her.”

He pointed out that James often draws the opposing team’s weakest perimeter defender due to the defensive attention paid to Bueckers and Ogunbowale, opening up attacking lanes.

“She should be able to get in the paint and create things,” Koclanes said. “You saw it—dump passes, five assists, dominating the paint, and playmaking. That balance is what makes it easier for Paige and Arike too. Now the ball finds the matchup and finds the energy.”

Now starting for the second straight game, James has emerged as a critical piece in Dallas’ reshaped rotation, offering speed, physicality, and a growing confidence that continues to shine.

Li Yueru Anchors the Paint

Yueru delivered her strongest performance of the season off the bench, finishing with 11 points, nine rebounds and three assists in 24 minutes. She played the entire fourth quarter and helped the Wings maintain control down the stretch, going 6-of-6 at the free-throw line and knocking down her first three-pointer of the year.

“In the first quarter, I didn’t feel good—I was nervous,” she said. “But coach [Koclanes] gave me a chance. Nola [Henry] and Camille [Smith] told me, ‘Just be yourself,’ and that helped a lot.”

The 6-foot-7 center used her physicality inside and improved touch to stretch Connecticut’s defense, providing Dallas with much-needed stability and rim protection. She also showed confidence in stepping outside the paint, something she’s worked on better to complement the team’s guards.

“When I learned to shoot the three, I just wanted to help give my teammates more space,” Yueru said. “I don’t want to only stand inside—it’s too much traffic. So I go outside. I feel better there now, and not many defenders guard me at the arc, so I get open looks.”

She acknowledged she’s still learning how to fully use her size in the post, particularly when it comes to spacing, positioning, and awareness of the three-second rule.

“You know, I have a big body. I’m still learning how to use my body,” Yueru said. “Sometimes I’m a little afraid to stay inside. I’m not sure — three seconds or something — so I always move myself. But after this game, I think I’ll try to stay in more and then use my body more. Yes, I learned a lot.”

Koclanes praised her ability to execute a wide range of responsibilities within the team’s system, from screening and floor spacing to defensive coverages and post physicality. He emphasized her rapid adjustment to game speed and situational reads, noting how she’s embraced everything from hedging on ball screens to battling in the paint against elite veterans like Tina Charles.

“She’s just a connector, a fantastic screener. I think we all miss a bunch of layups as a group — we need to improve our paint finishing around the rim, so it’s not just Li, that’s everybody,” Koclanes said. “But then, you know, the bonus is she throws in a three, which she’s more than — she’s a fantastic shooter — and that was a big three. I’m just proud of her and her effort and her attitude. She’s learning how to be more physical. We’re asking her to hedge, to plug, to pound with Tina — and then hit a big three. She’s earned our trust.”

Yueru credited the team’s shootaround structure for helping her adjust more quickly to game action and terminology. Dallas has only had time to go through one full practice with Yueru since her trade arrival, but will get another opportunity in Washington, D.C. on Saturday.

“Practice makes me feel more comfortable,” she said. “If I don’t do something in practice, I feel nervous in the game. But we had a lot of practice—about the other team, about ourselves—and that really helped.”

Supporting Cast Steadies the Finish

Smith finished with 12 points and seven rebounds in just 17 minutes due to foul trouble. Charles gave Dallas a lift off the bench with nine points in 14 minutes on 4-of-8 shooting, continuing her reliable impact as a slashing threat. Carrington also came off the bench but played a major role in the fourth quarter, closing the game alongside Bueckers, James and Ogunbowale in a four-guard lineup that emphasized speed and spacing.

Carrington finished with five points and a season-high nine rebounds—six of which came in the final period—as the Wings leaned on her defensive presence and ability to battle on the glass against a bigger Connecticut frontcourt.

“Kaila was great in the first half, and then DiJonai was fantastic on the glass in the second,” Koclanes said. “You just don’t know where the contribution is going to come from each night—but that’s our depth right now. It’s our competitive depth.”

The Wings used the smaller, faster unit to control tempo and out-rebounded the Sun 42–29 overall. Despite committing 18 turnovers that led to 20 Connecticut points, they forced 13 Sun miscues and converted those into 17 points of their own.

“It takes everybody doing what they’re really good at,” Koclanes said. “Knowing their roles and excelling in those roles—that’s what helped us pull out a couple wins in a row.”

Charles led all scorers with 26 points and six rebounds, going 10-of-11 from the free-throw line for Connecticut, but the Sun couldn’t overcome Dallas’ execution in key moments.

Haley Jones Debuts, Dallas Wings Keep Rolling

Haley Jones made her Wings debut after signing a hardship contract earlier in the week. The former No. 6 overall pick played 3:28 in the second quarter and grabbed one rebound. The appearance marked her first game action since being waived by Atlanta in early June.

With Friday’s victory, Dallas posted back-to-back wins for the first time this season and completed its first sweep of the Sun since 2009. The Wings entered the week on a seven-game losing streak but have quickly flipped the momentum.

“It’s been a long time since we’ve been able to say we’re on a winning streak,” Bueckers said. “But I think we’re starting to figure things out and play off each other better.”

Up Next

The Wings continue their road trip Sunday against the Washington Mystics (5–8) at CareFirst Arena. Tipoff is set for 2 p.m. CT with local broadcast coverage on KFAA29.

“This gave me a lot of confidence,” Yueru said. “We just hope we can keep going.”