The top three rookies faced off Sunday night, and what we got was a preview of what could become a classic WNBA battle- Dallas’ Paige Bueckers vs. Washington’s Sonia Citron. Two rookies, two young guns, and one high-stakes overtime clash. And in the final minutes, they both gave us late heroics. But just like it’s been for the Wings all season – Dallas couldn’t close.

Paige Bueckers didn’t make a single three all night. But when she finally did, it was the most clutch shot of the game. Her first make from deep tied things up at 84-84 with just seconds left in regulation, capping off a personal 7-0 run that nearly stole the game. But Dallas didn’t score a single point in the final 2:42 of overtime. Another one slipped right through their fingers.

With the game knotted at 88 in the final minute of OT, Washington ran a broken play that turned into gold. After a scramble under the rim, Shakira Austin found Citron in the corner. With her fourth triple of the night, she wrote the game. Dallas had one last chance in the final 12 seconds, but just couldn’t make the magic happen. Final: 91-88, Mystics.

So now, Washington bumps up to 6-8 on the season. The Wings drop to 3-12 and hold the second-worst record in the league. Postgame, head coach Chris Koclanes didn’t sugarcoat a thing. “The starting group wasn’t great tonight,” he said straight up during the press conference. Sure, Bueckers dropped 20 and Arike Ogunbowale added 27. Even Aziaha James chipped in 11. But the rest? Not much. NaLyssa Smith had just 7 points in 32 minutes, and Myisha Hines-Allen went scoreless in 22 minutes. And another issue, the slow start. 

“We were just sluggish and not playing with the right intensity and effort,” Koclanes admitted. Well, she did play hero late but not to forget, Bueckers didn’t hit her first shot until nearly six minutes into the second quarter, and that clutch three came with just 11 seconds left in regulation. The Wings were outscored 27-14 in the first quarter. They bounced back strong in the second – dropping 31 to Washington’s 13, and led 45-40 at the break. But it wasn’t enough. They fell right back into old habits: bricking bunnies at the rim, letting the Mystics run off misses, and looking more congested than creative with their perimeter offense.

And then there was the fouling. “Too much fouling,” the coach said bluntly. Dallas and DC both had turnover issues (16 and 17 apiece), but the Wings sent the Mystics to the line 41 times. That’s what ultimately did them in. The third quarter was a total rock fight. Fouls piled up, whistles echoed, and by minute 29, the total was already at 45. 

Sure, it was ugly for both teams, but guess who it cost the most? Dallas, obviously. Now, they’ll look forward to bouncing back vs the Dream. But, you know, while it was a heartbreaking night for the team as a whole squad, something courtside might’ve hurt PB a bit more. 

Paige Bueckers’ “girlfriend” sparks buzz by repping another rookie

Azzi Fudd has been turning heads lately. The UConn star, who’s long been tied to her bestie (and maybe more?) Paige Bueckers dropped a major relationship hint recently. It all started with that viral phone case that read, “Paige Buec(e)kers’ girlfriend.” Then came the cute photo with Paige at a Connecticut Sun game, where Fudd wore Bueckers’ jersey loud and proud.

But just when fans were still swooning over the post, Fudd switched things up. On Sunday, while the Dallas Wings traveled to D.C. to take on the Mystics, Fudd was spotted in the crowd but this time rocking a different rookie’s jersey. Yes, that No. 8 Mystics jersey belonged to none other than Georgia Amoore.

Now, Amoore didn’t go to UConn; she played for Virginia Tech before transferring to Kentucky. The two don’t have a super public connection, so naturally, fans were a little surprised. Still, once they remembered Amoore is sadly out for her entire rookie season due to an ACL tear, it all made sense. It felt like a sweet little tribute from one young star to another. 

And it was good luck too, the Mystics walked away with the W. But of course, social media couldn’t help but joke about Azzi “betraying” Paige by rocking someone else’s jersey. Still, it was all in good fun. There’s no shade being thrown here. Just support, love for the game, and two ‘besties’ still being very much in sync.

So while Paige may be in Dallas now, Azzi’s still has her back, even from miles away.