Paige Bueckers’ Dallas Wings faced the Las Vegas Aces on Saturday at Purcell Pavilion at the Joyce Center in Notre Dame, Indiana. The game was WNBA’s first preseason game this year.
On Saturday, Bueckers, the first pick in the 2025 WNBA draft, played her first professional game. The former UConn Huskies star joins the team led by four-time All-Star Arike Ogunbowale. Dallas also features several offseason acquisitions, headlined by 2024 Most Improved Player and defensive ace DiJonai Carrington.
On the other end, Las Vegas features a retooled roster under coach Becky Hammon. They are still led by reigning WNBA MVP A’ja Wilson. The Aces, which won back-to-back titles in 2022 and 2023, have their eyes set on a deep playoff run in 2025.
On Saturday, Bueckers scored four points on 2-for-3 shooting in the first quarter. She played seven and a half minutes for first-year coach Chris Koclanes. The Wings had a 25-23 lead after the first 10 minutes.
Bueckers went scoreless in the second quarter but had two rebounds. She played 14:58 minutes in the first half. The Aces limited the Wings to just 11 points in second period. They took a 55-36 lead heading into the halftime break.
Paige Bueckers’ stats
Paige Bueckers praises A’ja Wilson ahead of Dallas-Las Vegas preseason game
Following the Dallas Wings’ practice on Thursday, a reporter asked Paige Bueckers her thoughts on facing three-time WNBA MVP A’ja Wilson in her first game as a professional. Wings reporter Joey Mistretta shared Bueckers’ comments on X.
“One best the players in the league.” Bueckers said. “In the MVP race every single year, could’ve won it every single year. Just so skilled, and she has a great work ethic. So, she’s a problem.”
Paige Bueckers’ Wings will play another preseason game on May 10 against the Japan Basketball League’s Toyota Antelopes at College Park Center in Arlington, Texas. They start their 2025 WNBA season at home against the Minnesota Lynx on May 16.
This live copy will be edited and updated as the game progresses.
alt=”Kim Daniel Rubinos” height=”72″ width=”72″>
Edited by Kim Daniel Rubinos
