In her first game as a professional athlete, Paige Bueckers scored 10 points and grabbed 7 rebounds despite the Dallas Wings losing 99-84 to the Minnesota Lynx.

Less than sixty seconds into the game, Bueckers drove into the lane, missed her initial shot, but successfully rebounded her own shot for a putback. This marked the beginning of her journey in the WNBA, where her performance was a bright spot for the team. “Room to grow, you gotta have a starting point,” Bueckers stated. “We don’t want to overreact to the loss, but we also know there are many areas we can improve on.”

Chris Koclanes, the first-year head coach of the Wings, expressed optimism about the team’s potential despite their loss, praising their effort and teamwork.

After winning the Naismith Player of the Year award, Bueckers is recognized for her skill set, which allows her to integrate well with players like Arike Ogunbowale. Her debut performance serves as a reminder of the exciting future that lies ahead for both her and the Wings.