Paige Bueckers isn’t just meeting the hype – she’s outpacing it.
On Thursday night, the Dallas Wings rookie hit another major milestone, becoming the fastest player to reach 250 career points in the WNBA since Seimone Augustus in 2006. Bueckers hit the mark in just her 13th game, besting Caitlin Clark’s record pace of 16 games earlier this season.
She did it in signature style: 23 points, five assists, and an efficient 8-of-11 from the field as the Wings beat the Phoenix Mercury 98-89 at home. The performance was another chapter in what’s quickly becoming one of the most memorable rookie seasons in recent memory.
A Historic Night for More Than One Reason
This wasn’t just Bueckers’ night – it was a milestone game for the whole squad. Dallas started four rookies (Bueckers, Aziaha James, JJ Quinerly, and Jacy Sheldon), something no WNBA team has done since the Minnesota Lynx in 2000. James went off for 28 points, while Quinerly added 17 points and seven dimes. A rebuild? Sure. But it’s looking a lot like a revolution.
Bueckers, recently named June’s Rookie of the Month and an All-Star starter, also broke Clark’s record for most fan votes received by a rookie – more proof her star power is reaching well beyond the stat sheet.
And she did it all just days after sitting out with patellar tendinitis in her right knee, a lingering issue from high school. “There’s no day where it probably doesn’t hurt,”Bueckers said after the game. “But I’ve learned how to manage it.”
Coach Chris Koclanes stressed that her recent absence was precautionary – and with five days of rest before Thursday’s game, Bueckers looked completely in rhythm.
With the win, Dallas improves to 6-13 after a rough 1-11 start. They’ve now won five of their last seven and face Phoenix again on July 7.
There’s still plenty of season left, but Bueckers is making one thing clear: this isn’t just a hot streak – it’s the foundation of something bigger.
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