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WNBA Sends 2-Word Paige Bueckers Message Before Preseason Finale

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Sean Deveney | Last updated May 10, 2025 9:13 PM ET

On Saturday, the No. 1 pick in the 2025 WNBA draft is slated to get her final taste of preseason basketball, as the Dallas Wings take on the Japanese League's Toyota Antelopes, with six days to go before the start of the regular season. In her preseason debut, former UConn star Paige Bueckers scored 10 points on 4-for-7 shooting, with four rebounds and one assist.

In that one, though, the Wings were drubbed by the Las Vegas Aces, by a 112-78 tally.

The Wings are probably going to need time to come together, given that they're coming off a 9-31 season and are attempting to bring together a slew of new players as well as a leadership overhaul, with new coach Chris Koclanes running the show in front of new GM Curt Miller. The addition of Bueckers, as well as star defensive guard Dijonai Carrington, has raised expectations in Dallas.

Before the tip-off of the Saturday night, though, the WNBA sent out a message on its Twitter/X account, building up a bit of tension before the start of the action: "Preseason finale."

Preseason finale. pic.twitter.com/KfuTf10kpq
— WNBA (@WNBA) May 10, 2025

Bueckers is under considerable pressure, but said she welcomes the attention. Though she is a rookie, she said she wants to embrace a leadership role.

“I want to be a leader, even though it is my rookie season,” she told reporters. “And continue to use my voice and find the best ways to do it, while not overstepping. I just want to gain everyone’s respect to the point where they respect my voice.”

The Wings have star guard Arike Ogunbowale in place, but Koclanes said there is room for as much leadership as the players are willing to give.

“I’m empowering everybody to find their spaces and opportunity to lead, so just extremely encouraged from Paige and from all the rookies early,” he said.

The Wings open the WNBA season on Friday against the Minnesota Lynx in Dallas at 7:30 p.m. ET.

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

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