‘Just Trying to Find That Balance’: Paige Bueckers Working to Blend Mid-Range Touch with Rim Pressure

Dallas Wings guard Paige Bueckers has always been known for her poise, shot-making, and footwork in tight spaces. But in Wednesday’s 88–85 loss to the Atlanta Dream, the rising WNBA star showed a different element of her offensive repertoire down the stretch by creating more frequent rim pressure.

The 23-year-old scored nine of her 21 points in the fourth quarter, attacking Atlanta’s drop coverage to get into the paint. Her driving and one finish with two minutes left briefly gave Dallas the lead, highlighting her growing comfort blending physicality with finesse.

Paige Bueckers is Adjusting to Defensive Schemes

Atlanta primarily defended pick-and-roll actions with drop coverage, which allowed Bueckers to read the floor and dictate pace in the half-court. With spacing created by Dallas’ floor-stretching bigs, she could find pockets to operate.

“Just a little bit of separation on screens. My teammates were doing a really good job of screening and getting me open,” Bueckers said. “They played mostly drop the entire game, so if I got a little bit of advantage—and the posts were hitting threes—it kind of forced them to have to play to that, which opened up the lane a little bit. I just tried to be aggressive, attack the rim, and get to the free throw line.”

So far this season, Bueckers is averaging 1.5 field goal attempts at the rim per game within the half-court and generating 1.12 points per possession on those looks — among the most efficient shot profiles on the floor. Including transition, she has attempted just 2.0 shots per game from within five feet, with most of her attempts coming from 10 feet or beyond.

Against Atlanta, she scored 14 of her 21 points as the pick-and-roll ball handler — the first time in her WNBA career she’s reached double figures in that play type.

Finding the Balance in Shot Selection for Paige Bueckers

While Bueckers, averaging 18.3 points, 3.9 rebounds, and 5.5 assists, has demonstrated elite touch from mid-range and beyond, she’s working to find the proper balance with generating rim pressure. She is currently averaging 7.3 possessions per game that end in off-the-dribble jumpers — a mark that trails only Caitlin Clark (7.8) and Marina Mabrey (7.4) leaguewide.

“A mix and balance of both, I feel like,” Bueckers said. “Not over-penetrating too much, but I do feel like I can get to the paint and rim more, draw contact, and get to the free throw line. But I’ve always loved my midrange jump shot, and I don’t think that’ll ever change. Just trying to find a better balance of both.”

Wings head coach Chris Koclanes echoed that assessment, noting the added value Bueckers brings when she forces defenses to collapse.

“She got to the rim more,” Koclanes said. “The pull-up is always going to be there, but we talked at halftime about putting more pressure on the paint. With BG out in the third, that changed things. But I appreciated the way Paige mixed it up and kept attacking.”

Luisa Geiselsöder added that Bueckers’ ability to stay composed and strike from the mid-range makes the offense more challenging to guard.

“She’s so deadly in the midrange,” Geiselsöder said. “She’s just so calm, so smart. She knows when to take her time. That’s really hard to guard, and it opens up everything else for us. So I love when she takes those shots — and I hope she keeps taking them.”

Mastering the Mental and Physical Demands

Bueckers’ footwork and timing have allowed her to create separation even against top-tier defenders. She emphasized that it’s a skill she’s honed since childhood and still sees as essential.

“Playing against defenders in this league — who are the best in the world — you have to get your shot off in tight spaces,” she said. “Footwork is something I’ve worked on since I was little. It’s a fundamental that’s kind of underrated but so important. It’s something I’ve continued to work on my entire basketball life.”

Bueckers became the fastest player in over two decades, reaching 400 points and 100 assists in a WNBA rookie season. Her performance on Wednesday — 21 points, seven assists, and a late go-ahead basket — served as another reminder that her game continues to evolve each week.

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