All eyes will be on Friday night’s matchup between the Minnesota Lynx and Dallas Wings at College Park Center. The game comes with no shortage of storylines, but none bigger than the regular-season debut of Dallas rookie Paige Bueckers.
Bueckers has been a standout in basketball since high school. After a stellar career at UConn under legendary coach Geno Auriemma, including an NCAA Tournament title, she now steps onto the professional stage as the top pick in the 2025 WNBA Draft.
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On Friday morning, the Dallas Mavericks, NBA partners of the Wings in Texas — sent a message of support to Bueckers and her teammates:
“Good luck this season, @DallasWings.”
Bueckers appeared in two preseason games. In her debut against Las Vegas, she logged 22 minutes and scored 10 points. On May 10, she faced the Toyota Antelopes, playing another 22 minutes, scoring 15 points and grabbing five rebounds.
In her final season at UConn, the 23-year-old averaged 19.9 points, 4.4 rebounds and 4.6 assists per game. She shot an impressive 53.4% from the field and 41.9% from three-point range, while also leading from the free-throw line at 88.9%, one of the best in the country.
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Bueckers ended her college career in dominant fashion. In UConn’s 82-59 win over South Carolina, she scored 17 points and went 7-for-7 from the line. Her biggest performance came on March 29, when she dropped 40 points in 35 minutes against Oklahoma.
Paige Bueckers at the 2025 WNBA Draft.Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images
The Wings will stay home after Friday’s game to host the Seattle Storm on Monday. They’ll then head to Minnesota for a rematch with the Lynx on May 21, marking Bueckers’ return to her home state.
Meanwhile, the Dallas Mavericks made headlines of their own this week. Despite having less than a 2% chance, they won the NBA Draft Lottery. With the top pick in the June 25 draft, they’re expected to select Duke phenom Cooper Flagg.
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