The College Park Center in Arlington had the energy of a playoff night, even though the standings said otherwise. More than 7,000 fans filled the arena, each seat draped with black tees reading “Why Slow Down?” and “5 for Rookie of the Year.” The message was clear: this wasn’t just another game. It was a celebration of Paige Bueckers.
By the first timeout, it already felt like her night. The rookie had toppled Arike Ogunbowale’s franchise scoring record of 630, finishing the year at 650. That total not only rewrote Wings history, but also put Bueckers fourth on the all-time WNBA rookie scoring list, closing in on A’ja Wilson’s 682. Dallas didn’t let the moment pass quietly. They turned it into a campaign rally, with chants and highlights echoing through the building.
ESPN’s broadcast team only fueled the energy, naming Bueckers their official pick for Rookie of the Year. For a team that fell short of the postseason, the recognition gave Dallas fans a reason to stay loud and proud.
Bueckers Finishes Strong, Dallas Finds Its Spark
The game itself played out like a script written for her. Bueckers put up 27 points, seven assists, and a handful of jaw-dropping plays that had the Mercury scrambling. Dallas leaned into the moment-Ogunbowale created space, teammates kept feeding her, and the crowd responded every time the ball left her hands.
Her performance wasn’t just flash. It was efficient, controlled, and decisive, echoing the same floor vision and poise that made her a household name at UConn. For longtime Wings fans, it felt like a glimpse of what the future could look like with her as the cornerstone.
What stood out most was how the franchise framed the night. Rather than closing a season with disappointment, Dallas reframed it as a beginning. Wilson, Stewart, Parker-all parlayed standout rookie years into MVP careers. Bueckers now has a chance to follow that path, and the Wings clearly see her as the one to build around.
The confetti drop and chants of “R-O-T-Y” sealed the message. When Bueckers grabbed the mic to thank fans and promised, “This is just the beginning,” it landed less like a farewell and more like a prologue.
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