Paige Bueckers may live at full speed during the WNBA season, but the Dallas Wings guard slows down during Christmas, using the holidays to reconnect with family and reset before another demanding year.
After completing her first professional season, the 24-year-old explained that the holidays help restore balance in a career defined by constant travel, pressure, and expectations, offering moments of calm away from the spotlight.
She told the New York Post her Christmas routine stays intentionally simple, centered on shared experiences rather than gifts, allowing her to enjoy time with loved ones without distractions or elaborate plans.
Decorating the tree together remains a staple, followed by competitive board and card games that reflect her on-court mentality, with Skyjo, Uno, Sorry!, and Yahtzee all regular features.
Even during downtime, Bueckers‘ competitive streak surfaces, though she values the laughter and connection more than winning, making those moments a contrast to the intensity of professional basketball.
When movie night arrives, tradition wins out. Bueckers said Elf is her go-to holiday film, appreciating its humor and familiarity as something that brings everyone together.
Her connection to the holidays carries deeper meaning because of adversity she faced at Connecticut, particularly a torn ACL that forced her into a long and challenging rehabilitation process.
One Christmas during that recovery still stands out. Her father gifted her a foot massager, a practical gesture that helped ease pain and became a symbol of support during her lowest moments.
She still uses the massager today, viewing it as a reminder of how her family showed up when progress felt slow, reinforcing the importance of patience and perseverance.
Could Bueckers be set for Azzi Fudd reunion?
Discussion continues around whether the UConn Huskies guard Azzi Fudd could eventually reunite with Paige Bueckers in Dallas, a scenario that depends heavily on the 23-year-old expanding her offensive profile ahead of the WNBA Draft.
Statistically, questions remain as Fudd has taken limited off-the-dribble threes and fewer shots at the rim, leaving evaluators curious about how she responds when defenses force her off the perimeter.
With Bueckers gone from Connecticut, Fudd has embraced a more ball-dominant role, handling creation duties that were previously shared and giving scouts a clearer picture of her decision-making.
That expanded responsibility has produced flashes of growth, including a recent 27-point outing against the Iowa Hawkeyes on December 20, showing improved shot variety and confidence operating beyond spot-up situations.
If Fudd eventually joins the Wings, her role would again shift next to Bueckers, but these added reps may prove critical in making her a more complete and appealing professional prospect ahead of the 2026 WNBA Draft.
Fudd will now turn her attention to taking on the Butler Bulldogs in Indianapolis on Sunday, December 28 from 16:00 ET/13:00 PT as she continues to prove she’s worth being the overall first pick.
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