The WNBA preseason tipped off Friday night with a symbolic debut and a decisive result, as No. 1 overall pick Paige Bueckers made her first appearance with the Dallas Wings in a 112–78 loss to the defending champion Las Vegas Aces at Notre Dame’s Purcell Pavilion.
Returning to a college setting less than a month after leading UConn to a national title, Bueckers delivered a composed and efficient performance in her first professional game. She finished with 10 points on 4-of-7 shooting, including two 3-pointers, and added four rebounds in 23 minutes.
“It’s super surreal,” Bueckers said after the game. “The turnaround from where I was two weeks ago to where I am today has been incredible. I’m just soaking it up, enjoying every moment, getting used to new routines, traditions, new teammates, and a new organization. I’m excited to play basketball again with this group and continue to grow and get better every day.”
The game marked a homecoming for several Notre Dame alumni—Dallas guard Arike Ogunbowale and Las Vegas stars Jewell Loyd and Jackie Young among them—but for Bueckers, the environment still felt familiar.
Early WNBA Lessons Amid Adjustment
Bueckers scored her first WNBA points midway through the first quarter, knifing through Chelsea Gray, A’ja Wilson, and Kiah Stokes for a left-hand layup.
Bueckers embraced tough defensive assignments by picking up the ball and competing. However, the experience quickly reminded her she’s in a different league now, including trying to fight through a screen set by Wilson that could be heard from the scorer’s table and left her leaning over for a bit.
“Fighting over screens,” Bueckers said when asked what made her realize she was in the WNBA. “The players are bigger and more physical. That was definitely different than college.”
Las Vegas, boasting a core of Olympic-caliber talent, pulled away late in the first half and never looked back. Young led all scorers with 28 points and nine assists, while rookie Aaliyah Nye added 17 points off the bench. There were six total double-figure scorers for Vegas. Dallas had no answer for Wilson, who racked up 19 points and seven boards. Chelsea Gray added 13 points and three assists. Offseason addition Jewell Loyd and Tiffany Mitchell each scored 10.
“The pace, the flow of the game, and the talent level—especially playing a team like the Aces with five Olympic-level players,” Bueckers said. “They’re a great team and organization.”
With limited time to prepare between the college and pro seasons, Bueckers focused on her fundamentals to get ready for the next level.
“Honestly, there wasn’t a lot of time to prepare,” she said. “The turnaround between seasons was quick, so I leaned on what’s gotten me here and tried to build off that. I focused on staying in shape and getting rest between last season and this one.”
Paige Bueckers Stays Grounded
Head coach Chris Koclanes emphasized that the team is still in the earliest stages of development.
“This was our start, and that’s all it is—just a start. We had a lot of new pieces playing together for the first time,” Koclanes said. “It’s only our fifth day. We saw a zone and had to prep for it. What hurt us were live-ball turnovers. Those lead to transition plays, and it’s hard to get matched up defensively. If we can clean up turnovers and make simpler plays, we’ll improve.”
Before the game, Koclanes described the mindset he wanted Bueckers to carry into her debut: “It’s to play present and not perfect. As long as she’s in that moment, she’ll be able to access the things that make her special.”
Paige Bueckers scores her first ever WNBA preseason bucket. Welcome to the league, rook ✨
📺 DAL-LVA on ION. Stream FREE on the WNBA App with League Pass Preview pic.twitter.com/ZpbHBqUh5r
— WNBA (@WNBA) May 2, 2025
That message clearly resonated.
“We’ve talked about staying present and being where your feet are,” Bueckers said. “That’s what I focus on.”
Even as attention around her builds, she remains focused on development over hype.
“I don’t see myself as a celebrity—just a basketball player,” she said. “Pressure comes from outside sources. I’m focused on building with the team here and trying to improve each day. I don’t set ceilings for myself. Expectations are a media narrative, and I try not to let that in.”
Bueckers also pointed to areas she hopes to sharpen quickly.
“Screen navigation on defense is an area I need to improve, and it’s something we want to grow on as a team,” she said. “Also, limiting live-ball turnovers and getting better matchups in transition defense are key.”
Despite the lopsided result, the Wings took positives from the night, especially in floor communication and early chemistry.
“The coaching staff and my teammates gave me a lot of confidence,” Bueckers said. “It wasn’t perfect, but communication is one of the most important parts of basketball. As we get more game and practice reps, we’ll get more comfortable playing with each other.”
Dallas returns to action on May 10 against the Toyota Antelopes to conclude the preseason. For Bueckers, Friday was the first step in a long journey—one she’s embracing with intention and calm.
