Paige Bueckers has faced pressure and expectation since the moment she stepped onto a WNBA court, but it’s her honesty and sense of humor that are winning over even her opponents.
After the Dallas Wings rookie dropped 22 points in a narrow loss to the Indiana Fever, Fever veteran Sophie Cunningham took fans behind the scenes on her podcast, sharing a story that left listeners laughing and offered a glimpse at Bueckers‘ infectious personality.
As Cunningham recounted on Show Me Something, the memorable moment happened late in Friday night’s game at the American Airlines Center. Bueckers sliced left, made a slick move, and banked in a shot, drawing a wave of approval from the crowd.
But on the way back, Bueckers turned to her defender and confessed, “Hey, I traveled on that last one.” Cunningham, quick with a grin, replied, “You know, I kind of thought you did.”
That honest exchange didn’t stop there. Cunningham continued, “We were just, like, talking it up or something and then, like, I fouled but it wasn’t a foul.
“They called it. And I told our coaches to challenge it. I think she [Bueckers] was like, ‘Yeah, they should have challenged that.’ I was like, ‘I know. They never listen to me.'”
Why Paige Bueckers is changing the WNBA rookie conversation
Stories like this are more than comic relief-they reveal why Bueckers is not only the front-runner for WNBA Rookie of the Year, but also one of the most respected young players in the league.
Dallas has struggled to rack up wins, yet Bueckers‘ impact is unmistakable, both statistically and in the way she connects with teammates and opponents alike.
“She’s probably gonna get Rookie of the Year, as she should,” Cunningham said, before offering even more praise for her on-court rival. “I love her. No, I don’t really have a relationship with her off the court.
“But I just, like, love her vibe and her energy. Like, I just think that she is a good freaking human. She really is, she’s just, like, a great teammate and she’s a phenomenal leader… I am all for that.”
Bueckers leads all WNBA rookies in points, assists, and steals per game. Her advanced statistics back up the eye test: a league-best 20.9 player efficiency rating and 13.4 player impact estimate set the pace for the class of 2025.
She’s also racked up more 20-point performances than any other rookie this season, and her 2.63 assist-to-turnover ratio stands out in a league built on fast pace and tight defense.
Still, Bueckers has faced her share of skepticism. Critics have argued that her numbers are “empty calories,” pointing to Dallas’ losing record. Others question her late-game execution, especially as opponents double-team her down the stretch.
But those familiar with her play know that carrying a struggling team as a rookie is an achievement in itself-and defenses clearly respect her enough to build entire game plans around stopping her.
Bueckers keeps the Dallas Wings’ season interesting
Despite the ups and downs of the Wings’ campaign, Bueckers has become the focal point not just for her team, but for the broader WNBA rookie class.
Her battles with top rivals like Sonia Citron and Kiki Iriafen have sparked debate, but the numbers and the respect she commands – on and off the court – leave little doubt about her Rookie of the Year credentials.
Next up for Bueckers is a rematch with Cunningham‘s Fever on August 12, a game that promises more big moments and, if history repeats, more memorable exchanges.
For now, Sophie Cunningham’s podcast story serves as a reminder that sometimes, what happens between the whistles can be just as compelling as the stats on the scoreboard.
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