Paige Bueckers’ 27 points, 6 assists, 2 steals, and 2 blocks on 9-of-18 shooting cemented her as the Wings’ franchise cornerstone. Her zero turnovers-a rarity for a high-usage guard-highlighted her elite decision-making. Despite the loss, her stat line joined Sheryl Swoopes and Diana Taurasi in WNBA lore, per ESPN Stats & Info. Postgame, she credited Kyrie Irving (who attended) for inspiring her “unguardable” mentality.
The 20,409 fans eclipsed the previous Texas WNBA record (16,000 at Houston’s Toyota Center in 2000) and marked the Wings’ first regular-season sellout at AAC. Notably, Clark’s injury didn’t deter interest-proof of Bueckers’ growing star power. The Wings’ usual home, College Park Center (6,251 capacity), ranks among the league’s smallest venues, making this a landmark moment for Dallas’ WNBA viability.
Indiana, led by Kelsey Mitchell (22 points) and Aliyah Boston (18 points, 11 rebounds), exploited Dallas’ defensive lapses. The Fever’s 52-38 paint dominance and 21 fast-break points exposed the Wings’ transition defense-a recurring issue in their 4-13 season.
Cooper Flagg’s Dallas Debut
Two days after being drafted No. 1 by the Mavericks, Cooper Flagg attended in a Wings jersey, signaling his commitment to the city. Flagg, who chatted with Bueckers postgame, told reporters: “This energy is why I wanted to be here. Dallas hoops is rising.” His presence fueled speculation about cross-promotion between the Wings and Mavs.
Dallas faces the Washington Mystics on Saturday in a quick turnaround. Coach Latricia Trammell emphasized defensive adjustments, particularly in containing drives. With Bueckers averaging 23.2 PPG over her last five, the Wings hope to convert individual brilliance into wins.
The record crowd-driven by Bueckers vs. Clark hype-proves the league’s soaring popularity. As Wings president Greg Bibb noted: “This wasn’t a one-off. We’re building something special.” With Flagg’s arrival and Bueckers’ rise, Dallas could become the WNBA’s and NBA ‘s next major market.
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