DHJ Quick Take: Paige Bueckers Rises to No. 2 in WNBA MVP Odds After 31-Point Night
Paige Bueckers’ season-high 31 points against Phoenix have moved her to second in FanDuel’s WNBA Most Valuable Player odds, trailing only A’ja Wilson.
- What happened? Bueckers is listed at +550 to win MVP, behind only Wilson (-185) and ahead of Caitlin Clark (+650).
- Who leads the field? Wilson, who is averaging 26.4 points, 9.3 rebounds, and 3.3 assists for the Aces.
- Why does it matter? Bueckers’ efficiency and the Wings’ 8-4 start have lifted her into the MVP conversation in her second season.
- What’s next? The Wings visit the Portland Fire on Saturday, June 13, at 7:30 p.m. CT on KFAA.
PORTLAND, Ore. — Paige Bueckers has climbed to second in FanDuel’s WNBA Most Valuable Player odds, trailing only A’ja Wilson, after a season-high 31-point night carried the Dallas Wings past the Phoenix Mercury on Thursday.
Bueckers is listed at +550 to win the award entering Saturday, according to FanDuel, behind Wilson at -185 and ahead of Caitlin Clark at +650. Her 31 points on 14-of-20 shooting against Phoenix pushed her past 900 career points and capped a stretch that has moved her up the betting board.
Paige Bueckers’ MVP Case
Bueckers is averaging 19.8 points, 3.6 rebounds, and 5.8 assists in 12 games, shooting 52.3% from the field and 42.9% from 3-point range for a 62.2 true shooting percentage. She has scored at least 18 points in nine of those games while leading a Dallas offense that entered Saturday at 8-4.
Her 31-point night against Phoenix was the latest signature performance. Bueckers reached 900 career points in 48 games, tying Elena Delle Donne for the sixth-fastest in WNBA history, and joined A’ja Wilson, Napheesa Collier, and Breanna Stewart as the only players to post at least 31 points, 6 rebounds, 5 assists, and 14 field goals while shooting 70% or better in a regular-season game. Her efficiency in her second season has been central to her case.
A’ja Wilson Leads a Crowded Field
Wilson remains the clear favorite at -185. She is averaging 26.4 points, 9.3 rebounds, and 3.3 assists in 12 games, shooting 51.9% from the field and blocking 2.3 shots per game for the Las Vegas Aces, who entered Saturday at 9-3.
Clark sits third at +650, averaging 19.9 points, 4.7 rebounds, and 8.1 assists for the Indiana Fever while pacing the WNBA in assists. Behind her, three players share the next tier at +2500.
Kelsey Plum is averaging 24.8 points, 2.2 rebounds, and 6.9 assists for the Los Angeles Sparks on a 68.6 true shooting percentage. Breanna Stewart is averaging 20.4 points, 8.8 rebounds, and 2.8 assists for the New York Liberty. And Olivia Miles is averaging 17.8 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 6.3 assists for the Minnesota Lynx, who own the league’s best record at 10-2.
The Wings return to the floor Saturday at the Portland Fire at 7:30 p.m. CT on KFAA. Bueckers is questionable to play due to a right ankle injury.
More Wings Coverage on Dallas Hoops Journal
- Paige Bueckers Questionable For Dallas Wings At Portland; Odyssey Sims Remains Out
- ‘One Of The Best In The World’: Paige Bueckers Erupts For Season-High 31 To Lead Dallas Wings’ Response vs. Phoenix Mercury
- ‘Feels Good To Be Back Out There’: JJ Quinerly Makes Long-Awaited Return For Dallas Wings
- ‘Having More Connectivity’: Paige Bueckers Details How Dallas Wings Can Respond After Minnesota Lynx Loss
- ‘They Expose You’: Minnesota Lynx’s First-Half Barrage Sinks Dallas Wings In 100-76 Road Loss
- ‘It’s Nostalgic In The Best Ways’: Jessica Shepard, Alanna Smith Return To Minnesota For First Time Since Joining Dallas Wings
- ‘She Was A No-Go Today’: Odyssey Sims Held Out Of Dallas Wings Practice With Ankle Injury
- Aziaha James Avoids Injury, Returns To Dallas Wings Practice After Los Angeles Sparks Scare
- ‘Total Team Effort’: Paige Bueckers Ties Franchise Assist Record, Arike Ogunbowale Scores 30 As Dallas Wings Beat Los Angeles Sparks 104-96
