The WNBA season is flying by, and we’re already past the halfway mark, giving us plenty to chew on from Paige Bueckers’ rookie run. The first overall pick this year arrived with a national championship under her belt from UConn, carrying the weight of matching her predecessor, Caitlin Clark, last year’s top pick who stunned the league with her assists and three-point bombs.
Comparing their first 20 games, Bueckers edges out with 18.1 points to Clark’s 16.2, a better field goal percentage (45% vs. 39.4%), and fewer turnovers (2.3 vs. 5.6 for Clark). Clark, though, led in rebounds (5.7 vs. 3.9) and assists (6.9 vs. 5.6 for Bueckers). Remember, Clark wrapped last season with the all-time assist record (337) and a single-game high of 19-big shoes to fill, but Bueckers is carving her own path early on.
Bueckers Keeps Making History with Unprecedented Rookie Feat
Paige Bueckers is rewriting the rookie playbook, and it’s a sight to behold. Despite losing to the Valkyries on Friday night, she etched her name in WNBA history by becoming the first rookie to score over 350 points and record over 100 assists in just 20 games. No other standout guard has reached that milestone coming out of the gate, and it’s hard to fathom, given the talent we’ve seen.
Bueckers scored 17 points and had 6 assists in that game, boosting her season averages to 18.1 points, 5.6 assists, 3.9 rebounds, and 1.8 steals per game. She struggled with efficiency early on, but she has steadily improved, and that upward trend should continue. By standing on ground no other rookie has touched, she’s proving her worth. However, her team’s struggles might dim the spotlight if they don’t start winning.
Wings Face Tough Road Ahead, Including Fever Matchup
Bueckers is on track to outpace Clark’s numbers by season’s end-except maybe in assists, where Clark’s playmaking shines-though the Dallas Wings’ playoff hopes look slim with a 7-13 record. Last year, Clark and the Fever were 11-14 through 25 games, riding a strong second half to the postseason, something I’m skeptical Dallas can pull off with 19 games left.
This week’s a gauntlet for the Wings, hosting four straight home games: tomorrow against MVP A’ja Wilson and the Aces, Monday the 28th versus the champion Liberty, Wednesday against the surprising Atlanta Dreams, and wrapping up the week against Caitlin Clark’s Fever.
It’ll be their third clash, but Clark’s likely out with injury again, like their first meeting. If Bueckers stays healthy, her record-breaking pace could carry her, but the team’s woes might hold her back from the recognition she deserves.
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