Paige Bueckers puts the WNBA on notice as the Wings move one win away from the playoffs
This season, Bueckers leads the Wings in minutes, points, and assists as she aim for her first playoff appearance
Following the games this upcoming Sunday, the WNBA will halt play from August 31 through September 16, to accommodate the FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup in Berlin, Germany.
During this international showcase, 12 WNBA stars, including Caitlin Clark , A'ja Wilson , Paige Bueckers , and Breanna Stewart , will represent their countries in Group D, facing China on September 4th, Italy on September 6th, and Czechia on September 7th.
This week there is still plenty of action, including today's crucial matchup between the Dallas Wings and the Portland Fire . With seven teams already qualified for the postseason , these two squads are battling for the eighth and final playoff spot, but the Wings hold a commanding edge as a victory tonight will officially secure their ticket for the first time since 2023 .
Paige Bueckers Shines as Dallas Nears Playoff Berth
If they stumble today, Dallas sits on a comfortable cushion, holding a 6.5-game advantage over the expansion Portland franchise with just a handful of games remaining. After bottoming out with the league's worst record last year, the Wings have completely flipped the script.
Spearheaded by reigning Rookie of the Year Paige Bueckers and elite rebounding from Jessica Shepard , the squad recently matched a single-season franchise record with 22 wins following a dominant 92-70 rout of the Seattle Storm on Sunday, securing their first back-to-back victories in over a month.
Bueckers put on an absolute clinic against Seattle, exploding for a game-high 32 points while shooting a flawless 6-of-6 from beyond the arc (a new career high) across just 26 minutes of action, getting the luxury of sitting out the entire fourth quarter. She poured in 18 points in the opening frame alone, tying the franchise record for the most productive first quarter in Wings history.
An Uncompromising Competitive Edge and International Aspirations
Following that stellar performance, Bueckers delivered a blunt message to reporters that encapsulated her relentless drive: "Losing sucks. I friggin hate losing." That fierce competitive fire has defined her time in the professional ranks, especially after she carried an immense load following a tough debut team campaign.
Statistically, Bueckers anchors Dallas across the board, pacing the roster in minutes (33.3) , points (20.6 per game) , and assists (5.8 per game) . With teammate Azzi Fudd sidelined for the remainder of the year due to knee surgery, Bueckers has stepped up her defensive intensity to help fill the void.
Her development will only accelerate in Germany during the FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup , where she will battle elite guards like Caitlin Clark , Jackie Young , Chelsea Gray , and Rhyne Howard for valuable starting minutes.
Once tonight's showdown with Portland concludes, the Wings will wrap up their pre-break schedule against the Connecticut Sun on Sunday, looking to lock down momentum before the global stage takes center stage.
