The Wings have been training hard under new coach Jose Fernandez, and their efforts came to fruition against the Fever.
Bueckers led by example, pouring in 20 points before halftime on 8-for-12 shooting and 4-for-6 from beyond the arc. She finished her game in just over 20 minutes, as Fernandez wanted to manage the minutes of the main players.
While the first half was pretty competitive with Dallas holding on to a 38-31 lead, they quickly shifted gears at the start of the second half with a 13-2 lead and never looked back.
“I think we got out in transition a lot, easy baskets running the floor, getting layups, and wide-open threes,” Bueckers said postgame. “We took better care of the ball. We were pretty sloppy early, starting with me in the first quarter, but we cleaned it up and got shots on goal. That always helps.”
Apart from Bueckers, we also saw her former UConn teammate and partner, Azzi Fudd’s debut. The No.1 overall draft pick accumulated three fouls in 16 minutes, finishing with 4 points on 2-for-7 shooting, 0-for-2 from 3.
Regardless, Bueckers is expected to continue her fine form from last season, and the 24-year-old has put the offseason to good use, with fans noticing a much more toned physique.
Paige Bueckers Draws Attention after Flexing Improved Physique
On Monday, a Wings’ media day video went viral, showing Bueckers posing for the camera. When the photographer asked her to do a flex pose, Bueckers obliged while making some funny commentary.
However, what stood out among fans was how good in shape Bueckers looked, compared to when she arrived in the WNBA fresh out of college.
Fans couldn’t help but comment on it, with one even saying, “Paige been working!!”
And indeed she has been. Bueckers had to stay fit the whole offseason, as she participated in the Unrivaled league, which spanned two months.
Furthermore, she made her US senior national team debut during the FIBA Women’s World Cup Qualifying Tournament alongside Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese. The red, blue, and white won all five of their games, a good practice session to say the least.
Dallas will look to count on the 24-year-old again, this time with a better supporting cast like Fudd and last season’s co-DPOY Alanna Smith, to finally get over the ghosts of their past (10-34).
The opening night of the new WNBA season is going to be a must-watch, as the Wings take on the Fever at Gainbridge Fieldhouse.
So, who will you be supporting between these two WNBA powerhouses?