Despite the Dallas Wings’ struggles to win games, their rookie, Paige Bueckers, managed to set multiple individual records. Recently, she scored the most points as a rookie player with 44 points in a burst against the Los Angeles Sparks.
Right from the start, PB showed her capabilities, and as the season progressed, the guard conquered various records, outshining Caitlin Clark’s iconic rookie season in the process. But the free-flowing scoring spree halted against the Golden State Valkyries.
Valkyries Halt Paige Bueckers’ Scoring Spree
The 2025 first overall pick was an exciting prospect in the WNBA with her overall command of the game. Dallas Wings landed a player with a championship record and proven abilities to control the game on both ends of the floor. Many considered her unguardable, while some called her ‘pure scorer of the game.’
In a recent interview, after her 44-point record against the Sparks, Paige Bueckers acknowledged that her mid-range shots are difficult to guard. She also mentioned that it gives her an edge in the contest. Sure enough, she made history, setting a record for the most consecutive double-digit scoring games by a rookie.
It looked like no one could even stop the former UConn star’s impeccable scoring abilities until the Golden State Warriors came up strong against the 22-year-old star. The side held the reigning NCAA champion to 0 points in the opening half at the College Park Center, the first time in her career.
Paige Bueckers tonight:
— Polymarket Hoops (@PolymarketHoops) August 24, 2025
9 PTS
9 AST
3/12 FG
-17 pic.twitter.com/iIdQnT4sjU
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The visitors continued to pressure the star, double-teaming her on multiple occasions in the game. PB finished with nine points, shooting 3-of-12 on the night. This ends her incredible run of consecutive double-digit scoring games at 29, falling just short of the all-time record (33) set by A’ja Wilson.
Dallas Wings’ HC Slams Physicality on Paige Bueckers
The Wings’ game against the Valkyries was a striking contrast to their encounter against the Fever. Earlier in the season, Sophie Cunningham talked about Bueckers receiving fouls on nearly every play. But as per Wings’ HC Chris Koclanes, the referees did exactly the opposite on the night against the Valkyries.
Slamming physical gameplay and defense on his star guard, HC said, “It’s physical, the whistle is not going our way, and I see [Paige] just get run over… She’s boxing out and just getting absolutely run over and thrown to the ground. Like, how many times does she have to be on the ground for us to start protecting her and cleaning up the physicality?”
Bueckers shot just two free throws in the game, adding two points to her tally. After a 90-81 defeat against the Valkyries, the Wings stand at the rock-bottom place with a 9-29 record, while the expansion team moves closer to the postseason qualification with a 19-18 record and occupies seventh spot.