DHJ Quick Take: Paige Bueckers Details Dallas Wings’ Response
- Dallas Evens Record Following Homestand: The Dallas Wings wrapped up a three-game homestand Monday night by bouncing back from three losses in their previous four games to secure a 92-69 win over the Washington Mystics.
- Defensive Foundation Sets Early Tone: Dallas established an immediate defensive advantage by holding Washington to just 9 points in the opening quarter, matching the lowest scoring output allowed in any single period across the WNBA this season.
- Historic Passing Highlights Offensive Flow: The Wings recorded a season-high 30 assists on 33 made field goals, representing the fifth-highest single-game team passing performance in regular-season franchise history.
- Bueckers and Starters Dictate Pace: Paige Bueckers led all scorers with 18 points and 7 assists while finishing with a plus-21 rating, extending her consecutive game streak with at least 15 points and two assists to a league-best nine games.
- Bench Injections Spark Double-Digit Production: Rookie guard Azzi Fudd notched a career-high 12 points off the bench on 6-of-9 shooting, while reserve forward Awak Kuier provided nine points, four assists, and three steals to solidify the rotation.
ARLINGTON, Texas — Paige Bueckers said the Dallas Wings answered the way they had wanted to. Two days after the team’s third loss in four games, Bueckers and the Wings routed the Washington Mystics 92-69 on Monday at College Park Center.
Bueckers led all scorers with 18 points on 7-of-12 shooting. She hit 4 of 5 from 3-point range, a season high, added 7 assists and finished plus-21 in 33 minutes. The performance extended her streak of games with at least 15 points and two assists to nine, the longest active run in the WNBA.
A Defense That Played ‘On a String’
Bueckers said the response started on the defensive end, where the Wings held Washington to 9 points in the first quarter and never let go.
“We were connected. We were moving on a string,” Bueckers told Dallas Hoops Journal. “I think it started with two very good days at practice of us holding each other accountable and us wanting to be better for each other. We just stayed connected. Learned a lot on film, learned a lot through practice, and just tried to apply it to the game.”
The Wings limited the Mystics to 2 offensive rebounds, surrendered just 5 second-chance points and forced 19 turnovers. Bueckers traced the defensive identity back to a weekend block of two practices, the team’s first extended stretch of practice time all season.
An Offense Built on Stops
Bueckers said the offense the Wings want to play does not start with the offense.
“We play better when we’re playing with pace, when we’re playing much faster, and that starts with getting stops so we can get the ball off the rim and play in the full court,” Bueckers told Dallas Hoops Journal. “And then just making the easy read, taking great shots over good shots, changing the size of the floor, making the defense work, and executing our offense.”
Dallas dished out a season-high 30 assists on 33 made baskets, the fifth-highest assist total in a regular-season game in franchise history. The Wings shot 47.1% from the field, 45.8% from 3-point range and committed just 9 turnovers.
Recognizing the Rookie
Bueckers spent the game alongside Azzi Fudd, her UConn teammate and the Wings’ No. 1 overall pick. Fudd posted a career-high 12 points off the bench on 6-of-9 shooting. Bueckers said the rookie played the way the team has wanted to see her play.
“She was aggressive. She didn’t really hesitate much, and then when she did hesitate one time, we all got on her just to be aggressive and look for her shot,” Bueckers told Dallas Hoops Journal. “But she got to her pull-ups very efficiently, and she was aggressive, and I think that’s what we need from her.”
Crediting Awak Kuier and Jessica Shepard
Bueckers also pointed to Awak Kuier, who posted 9 points, 4 assists and 3 steals in 20 minutes off the bench, as a player whose feel for the game showed up at both ends of the floor.
“She was amazing on both sides of the floor. Just her length disrupts things a lot defensively, and she has a great IQ for the game,” Bueckers told Dallas Hoops Journal. “And then her cutting, her screening — she’s learning really fast, and she just wreaked havoc on both sides of the floor tonight.”
She said the chemistry with Jessica Shepard, who recorded a 16-rebound double-double, is still building through repetition.
“We’re starting to get more reps with each other. We’re starting to learn each other a little bit more,” Bueckers told Dallas Hoops Journal. “Jess is a really good playmaker. She’s very unselfish and makes the right read. She’s also a threat to score, so it’s really easy to play with her and play off of her, and we have great communication.”
Up Next
The Wings begin a three-game road trip Wednesday against the Chicago Sky at 8 p.m. CT, with stops in Atlanta and New York to follow before a return home to face Las Vegas.
More Wings Coverage on Dallas Hoops Journal
- ‘Flying Around And Covering’: Rebuilt Defense Sparks Dallas Wings’ 92-69 Blowout Of Washington Mystics
- Dallas Wings Prepare To ‘Match That Energy’ Against Washington Mystics In Duel Of Young Teams
- ‘He’s A Wonderful Coach’: Dallas Wings Players Back Jose Fernandez After His Accountability Comments
- Azzi Fudd Says UConn Play Calls Still ‘Ingrained’ As She Adjusts To Dallas Wings’ System
- Dallas Wings Use Rare Practice Days To Reset Defense, Game-Plan For Washington Mystics
- Dallas Wings Practice Interviews: Azzi Fudd, Alysha Clark And Jose Fernandez (May 17, 2026)
- Paige Bueckers Says Wings’ Mistakes Are ‘Fixable’ As Dallas Cleans Up Before Washington Mystics
- Arike Ogunbowale Sees ‘A Lot To Learn’ From Dallas Wings’ 1-2 Start
- Dallas Wings Target Pick & Roll Defense, Ball Movement And Late-Game Execution In ‘Very Spirited’ Practice Before Washington Mystics
