‘We Really Played Collectively’: Dallas Wings Close Season in Style Behind Rookie Trio’s Historic Night Against Phoenix Mercury

Grant AfsethSeptember 12, 2025October 21, 2025no comment

Paige Bueckers, Dallas Wings, WNBA, Phoenix Mercury

Photo by Sam Hodde/Getty Images

The Dallas Wings closed their season with a statement. Three rookies scored 20 or more points in the same game for the first time in WNBA history, powering a 97–76 victory over the Phoenix Mercury on Thursday night at College Park Center.

Paige Bueckers led Dallas with 24 points, eight rebounds, seven assists, two blocks and a steal. Amy Okonkwo and Aziaha James each added 20 off the bench. The Wings ended the season 10–34 overall, while Phoenix dropped to 27–17 heading into the playoffs.

Bueckers’ final night of her rookie campaign also moved her into third place on the WNBA’s all-time rookie scoring (692 points) and assists (194) lists, passing A’ja Wilson in scoring and Sue Bird in assists.

“This group — we’ve overcome so much,” Bueckers said. “So many people getting their first opportunity in the league, and we stuck together through it all. I wouldn’t trade this rookie year for anything.”

Early Surge and Response

Phoenix opened the game with a 21–7 run behind Satou Sabally and Kahleah Copper. James sparked the Wings off the bench with seven points in the final four minutes of the first quarter, cutting the deficit to three.

Dallas carried that momentum into the second quarter. Okonkwo buried consecutive 3-pointers, and Bueckers added 10 points in the frame as the Wings surged to a 57–47 halftime lead.

“We cleaned up a lot of sloppy mistakes defensively from the first quarter, especially rotations and guarding the three-point line,” Bueckers said. “Offensively, we got out in transition, were aggressive, played with pace, and got into the paint. We really played collectively for 40 minutes of team basketball. That second quarter sparked it.”

James carried her momentum into the second quarter, reaching double figures before halftime. By the break, she had 14 points on efficient shooting, sparking Dallas’ second-unit production alongside Okonkwo. Her scoring punch off the bench allowed the Wings to not only erase Phoenix’s early 14-point lead but also build a cushion they would never give back.

“Just like P said, so many stories to tell about this season,” James said. “I’m just grateful to be around this community. Everyone helps everyone, we’re just a big family here. I just can’t wait to do it again next week.”

Taking Control in the Third

The Wings dominated the third quarter, outscoring Phoenix 25–13. Maddy Siegrist scored six, and Dallas held the Mercury to 27 percent shooting in the frame.

The Mercury tried to chip away after halftime but never recovered from Dallas’ third-quarter surge. The Wings led by as many as 27 in the second half, overwhelming Phoenix with their energy, depth, and paint scoring. Even when the Mercury closed on an 8–0 run in the final minutes, Dallas had already secured control and coasted to the finish line.

Head coach Chris Koclanes said it was the defensive intensity that changed the complexion of the game, pointing to Dallas’ ability to generate stops and run in transition as the turning point.

“We turned them over 18 times for 21 points, had 11 steals,” Koclanes said. “Those live-ball turnovers let us run in the open floor. Defense creates offense, and that’s an identity we want to build.”

Career Night for Amy Okonkwo

Okonkwo closed the night with the best performance of her career, scoring 20 points in front of a home-state crowd. The former TCU standout added career highs in made field goals, 3-pointers and steals, delivering her breakout moment in the season finale.

“So happy for Amy,” Koclanes said. “She was fearless from the start, confident shooting, finishing at the rim, and giving defensive effort. She played here at TCU, so to do this in front of a hometown crowd was awesome.”

James said the support from the fans stood out during a season filled with injuries, roster turnover, and adversity. For her, the sellout crowd on Fan Appreciation Night represented how much the community had stayed with the team through every stretch.

“It’s been good,” James said. “The season’s been tough, but they stood beside us the whole time. Tonight was their night and we had to give it back to them.”

Learning Under a Rookie Coach

Both Bueckers and James credited Koclanes with helping them build belief during their rookie seasons. They said his consistent message, film study, and encouragement gave them confidence to adjust quickly to the pro level and carve out meaningful roles.

“He helped me a lot,” James said. “I came in kind of shallow, not thinking highly of myself. He brought the dog out of me. Him and Kurt taught me patience — I’m so fast and my mind races, so they taught me to slow down, trust myself, and let shots come.”

“The team embodies the attitude of your leader, and for him to show up every day and pour into us, give us confidence, it means a lot,” Bueckers said. “He always told me to use my voice, giving me confidence to do that. As a rookie, you have to learn new schemes and navigate the physicality, so film was huge. He’s helped all of us grow.”

James recalled her favorite memory with Bueckers from earlier in the season, when the rookie backcourt exploded in Phoenix alongside Janiah Barker, creating what she described as a “rookie night” to remember.

“Man, there’s so many memories,” James said. “One I’ll say was when me, her, and JJ went off — rookie night in Phoenix. That was just fun, to play with her, flow with her, get buckets together. It’s a sister bond.”

Bueckers laughed when asked about the same moment, smiling as she agreed it was a performance they’d both remember for years.

“Phoenix again,” Bueckers said, laughing. “Yeah, same thing.”

Paige Bueckers’ Growth and Leadership

Bueckers said her confidence didn’t arrive all at once but developed steadily over the course of the season. From learning the speed and physicality of the league to finding her voice as a leader, she emphasized how teammates and coaches pouring into her helped her grow into a reliable focal point for Dallas.

“Once you get a couple games under your belt, you learn what your team needs from you, how to navigate the pros, the pace, the physicality,” Bueckers said. “My confidence kept growing throughout the season thanks to teammates and coaches pouring into me. I’m most proud of everything — how we handled adversity, how we stayed together, how we showed resilience and fight. You can’t teach that. We embodied it as a team and coaching staff.”

Koclanes said Bueckers’ presence as both a player and leader stood out the most, praising her ability to stay true to herself while also giving the team what it needed during a challenging season.

“It’s about the entire locker room navigating new roles,” Koclanes said. “For P, stepping into leadership as a rookie, leaning into discomfort, but staying true to herself — that stands out. It’s not easy, but she did it. I’ll remember how she remained authentic while giving the team what it needed.”

Looking Ahead

The Wings shot 48.8% from the field and outrebounded Phoenix 42–27. They scored 54 points in the paint and turned 18 Mercury turnovers into 21 points.

Looking ahead, Koclanes said the biggest takeaway from the year was the foundation that had been built. He emphasized the bonds formed within the locker room and expressed confidence that the experience gained by the young core would carry into the future, even as the record showed just 10 wins.

“Just incredible,” Koclanes said. “When that’s your leader, and she not only says it but lives it, it gives me confidence. To have P in the locker room, with everyone else around her, the bonds they’ve built, the consistency they’ve shown — it gives me confidence. The foundation is strong. Say what you want about the wins and losses, but we have a very strong and positive bond among a core of young, talented athletes who will be here for a long time.”

The focus now shifts to the offseason, where the Wings will be tasked with upgrading the roster around Bueckers. Dallas clinched the best odds for the No. 1 pick in the 2026 WNBA Draft.

More Dallas Wings News & Paige Bueckers Coverage

Leave a Response Cancel reply

You must be logged in to post a comment.

Grant Afseth

Senior Writer

Grant Afseth is a Senior Writer for DallasHoopsJournal.com, where he leads in-depth coverage of the Mavericks, Wings, and more. Between a focus on the latest news, closer looks at games, front office strategy, and more, Afseth provides objective coverage. Afseth contributes broader NBA coverage across platforms and has been cited in national outlets for his reporting and analysis. With nearly a decade of journalism experience, Afseth has covered the NBA and WNBA for multiple major outlets, including Athlon Sports, BallIsLife, Sportskeeda, and RG.org. He previously reported on the Indiana Pacers for CNHI’s Kokomo Tribune and the Mavericks for FanNation.

view all posts

Archives