One-month-long Unrivaled league season started on a high note. Ever since the schedule was released, everyone has been looking forward to Breeze BC games, with Paige Bueckers making her debut in the new league.
There is no denying that the Unrivaled relies on Bueckers to maintain the high excitement and entertainment value of the league. She achieved the same success in the WNBA with the Dallas Wings, and now everyone expects to see similar magic in the 3-on-3 format.
But after the first game, the player opened up on the changes she felt, especially on the defensive end of the game.
Paige Bueckers On Physicality Of Unrivaled League
Tight defence is something that the star has thrived in since his college days. Playing within the UConn format of gameplay, she is accustomed to close marking and double-teaming. She even had ‘focused defence’ in the WNBA, but the player found it different even with the 3-on-3 format.
Talking about the same, she said, “We all know that the [WNBA] is physical, but Unrivaled I feel is even more physical than that. And then not being able to have help side, you’re basically on an island. So at points, you’re gonna have to be okay with getting cooked.”
"We all know that the [WNBA] is physical, but Unrivaled I feel is even more physical than that. And then not being able to have help side, you're basically on an island. So at points, you're gonna have to be okay with getting cooked."
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) January 6, 2026
—Paige Bueckers
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Though the player finished with a game-high 24 points, her assessment is spot on. In a 3-on-3 format, individual defense becomes increasingly important, and the game becomes somewhat physical.
The Wings star spoke about defensive gameplay in the Unrivaled league, but she adapted a new offensive strategy that might work well for her in the WNBA.
Paige Bueckers Develops New Offensive Strategy
Bueckers surprised her Breeze BC teammates with a custom Christmas gift. And then in the opening game, the star even played a crucial role in the win. After shining in her first WNBA season, the star is looking to add more variety to her offensive game. In the postgame interview, the Wings’ guard answered a question about her improvements during the offseason.
“I wanna work on my left hand more, and I wanna get to the free throw line more,” Bueckers said. “So lowkey like, a little foul bait. But also, I wanna get the bump, the Shai (Gilgeous-Alexander) shoulder bump into my midrange pull-up.”
I asked Paige Bueckers what she wants to add to her game this offseason 🏀🧠:
— president of #marginsfc (@jfeltonnn) January 5, 2026
“I want to work on my left hand… get to the free throw line more, so lowkey a little foul bait, but also the Shai [Gilgeous-Alexander] shoulder bump into my midrange pull up” pic.twitter.com/77BjK4cMzN
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander effectively employed this strategy in the NBA, which helped OKC secure its first championship. The 23-year-old is looking to immolate the same.