The Dallas Wings dropped their matchup against the Minnesota Lynx 96-71 on Monday night at Target Center, but Paige Bueckers’ performance drew praise from one of the league’s top coaches.
Bueckers scored 17 points with one rebound and two assists, moving to No. 6 on the WNBA’s all-time rookie scoring list with 623 points — just one behind Cappie Pondexter for fifth. The rookie guard has averaged 18.9 points, 3.8 rebounds, and 5.3 assists in 33 games this season, earning an All-Star starting nod in her first year.
Cheryl Reeve Highlights Paige Bueckers’ Growth
Lynx head coach Cheryl Reeve highlighted Bueckers’ development since Minnesota first faced Dallas earlier in the season, noting how the Wings have adjusted her role. She pointed to Bueckers’ ability to work off the ball while still initiating sets, with her post-up game and movement creating reliable scoring options.
“Point guard, I mean, she plays mostly off-ball, and they sort of figured that out with Paige,” Reeve said. There are times when she initiates, but they really use her more off-ball. They’ve really navigated her best spaces well. Clearly, she likes to post up.”
Reeve said Bueckers has also taken on more responsibility as the year progressed, learning when to step in and create shots rather than waiting for the offense to find her. She compared the shift to when Napheesa Collier had to embrace a heavier scoring load for Minnesota.
“She’s very much improved from the first time we saw her in terms of how she gets her scoring attempts,” Reeve said. “She learned how much the team needs her to take shots. It’s almost like Phee [Napheesa Collier] in 2023 when we were like, ‘You’re gonna have to take 20 shots and you gotta figure out how to get ’em off.’”
Dallas Wings Struggle to Keep Pace
Bueckers showed her versatility against Minnesota, scoring in bursts to keep Dallas close in the first half before the Lynx separated late behind Collier’s 25 points and Natisha Hiedeman’s 25-point, 10-assist performance.
Reeve credited Bueckers’ growth in creating chances even against organized defenses. She praised her use of hesitations, pump fakes, and counters to reach her spots, saying the rookie no longer relies on a single move but can adjust in ways that make her tougher to defend.
“She’s gotten really shifty, getting defenders up and getting to her sweet spot,” Reeve said. “It’s not just make one move, you stop her. She’s terrific in that space.”
Dallas, which fell to 9-32, had four players in double figures. Maddy Siegrist, Amy Okonkwo, and Diamond Miller each finished with 12 points. The Lynx, who improved to 32-8, shot 55% from the field and 58% from deep.
The Wings continue their final road trip of the season on Thursday against the Golden State Valkyries.
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