Paige Bueckers’ every early WNBA game had a story behind it, and yet playing her fifth game of the season, she will be back where her career took a massive leap – Connecticut. The star will be in action against the Connecticut Sun at the Mohegan Sun Arena– a place where she has gone undefeated as a Husky. “We’ll try to carry those vibes over to this game and approach it with a winning mentality,” the Wings’ rookie says.

With the start they have had, that mindset is non-negotiable. Maybe even more so, given the updated look at their injury report.

Veteran forward headlines Dallas Wings’ injury report

The expectations were high with Paige Bueckers joining Arike Ogunbowale at the Dallas Wings. But some tough matchups early on against the Lynx have the team looking at an 0-4 start. Another team with a similar record? Connecticut Sun. Both will face each other on May 27, looking for their first win of the season. Dallas Wings, though, might be without their key player, Myisha Hines-Allen.

As per the reports, Hines-Allen is struggling with an ankle issue and is questionable for the game. The 29-year-old forward is the most experienced player on the Wings roster, with the rest boasting no more than 6 years.

“[We are] putting her in position to make plays for her teammates while also still finding opportunities to score,” Wings HC Koclanes said when the side added Myisha to its roster. She was coming off an 8-point, five-rebound, and 2-assist career average after playing for the Mystics and the Lynx. And in Dallas? She added two 11-point performances while averaging 7 rebounds and 3.3 assists across 4 games.

Those numbers might not stand out, but Hines-Allen has been vocal in the locker room, encouraging and energetic to motivate the young core.

“She’s a great passer [and] she’s always ready to look for you,” Smith said as the forward scored 12 points against the Seattle Storm. “And, I mean, she just opens up the floor for us bigs.” Myisha’s absence could be a glaring one for Dallas who are looking to add a first win. But Paige Bueckers is ensuring not to be swayed.

Paige Bueckers is ready to grab her first win in Connecticut

When Paige Bueckers was drafted to the Wings, her chemistry with Arike Ogunbowale was a big question for many. Both are ball-dominant guards, yet Paige could effectively play at the number 2 position. Four games into the season, the concerns raised fell flat as Paige and Arike dazzled on the court playing alongside each other.

Paige was confident of the outcome and already mentioned “more assists” when asked about her feelings for Arike. Yes, Paige is leading the side in assists (6.3), nearly twice that of her next-best passer on the side. The 23-year-old is also leading the side in scoring (13 points per game) and in steals (1.3 per game), impacting the game on both ends of the floor. Now she will be back in a familiar environment, with an impressive 15-0 record at the arena.

“I feel like Mohegan is like my second home to Gampel [Pavilion] in Connecticut, so it’s great to be back,” Bueckers said, via Hartford Courant’s Emily Adams. “It’s definitely different. It’ll be weird stepping on the court, I think, not in a UConn uniform, but it’ll be something that I’ll enjoy with a new experience and a new team and new organization. It’s just another step in the new journey, and I’ll definitely enjoy being back here in the state I love so much.”

Despite her record-setting performances, the Dallas Wings side is still looking for its first win and how magical it would be if Paige collects that at Mohegan Sun Arena in front of a Connecticut crowd.