She’s 23. A rookie. And already the calmest voice in the room. In just her second WNBA game, Paige Bueckers played like anything but a newcomer and everything like the composed, high-IQ leader Geno Auriemma molded at UConn. Against the Seattle Storm, Bueckers took over. With 19 points, 8 assists, and 7-of-14 shooting, she ran the floor like a seasoned vet, dictating pace and commanding tempo. Her poise screamed that she was a Geno product — a masterclass in control amid the chaos. And yet, as her star rose, cracks in the Dallas Wings’ chemistry grew even louder, casting doubt on a veteran teammate’s place in the team’s future.

The star guard Arike Ogunbowale struggled throughout the game, shooting 2-for-14 from the field. While Ogunbowale struggled a bit in the previous game as well, this one has sparked another level of backlash. She collected just 8 points and 0 assists in her 27 minutes. Now, we all know how tremendous the backcourt was supposed to be. However, seeing a rookie keep the offense humming alone, the questions raised were inevitable, honestly. 

And this happened despite Paige putting to use everything she learned from Geno, including the calm attitude that helped put the Wings back on the map in the game. She is a team player after all and doesn’t dance solo. As Geno famously said, “We always tell her that the best players are those who dictate how the game goes, not just react to it. Paige has taken that lesson seriously and it shows in how she leads the team.” That control was on full display, but not everyone was following the same sheet of music.

So, as questions about team chemistry continue to boil, fans aren’t pulling punches.

Wings lose again despite Paige Bueckers’ strong performance; fans demand answers.

 One fan snapped after the Wings’ second straight loss: “Arike won’t be on this team next year!! Book it.”

But let’s not hit the panic button just yet. It’s early in the season, and Arike Ogunbowale’s resume speaks volumes. She’s a two-time All-Star, 2021 All-Star MVP, All-WNBA First Team (2020), Second Team (2021, 2024), 2020 scoring champ, 2024 steals champ, and a 2019 All-Rookie pick. Just last season, she averaged 22 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 5.1 assists. One off-night doesn’t erase years of elite play.

Furthermore, even a veteran needs to adjust to a new-look roster. If you look closely, Bueckers’ comments perfectly hinted at that, in her calm manner, of course. Dismissing the “greatest backcourt” narrative, she brought the attention back to how two players can’t succeed alone, and neither can they fail alone. And that, folks, it takes time.

“We’re learning, we’re growing, we’re all learning as a team and growing as a team,” Bueckers told reporters. “We’re not really focused on, as much as it’s exciting to play with Arike in the backcourt and she’s one of the premier players in the league, we’re trying to grow as a team and we’re not focused on any duo, trio, whatever. We’re focused on 1-12 and how we look as a team.”

Yet, no one caught that hint, it seems. Another fan chimed in: “I agree, this will be Paige’s team.”

Sure, Paige running the offense—initiating pick-and-rolls and setting the tempo—could help teammates like Arike, Carrington, and Smith get to their spots faster and take cleaner, less contested shots. It’s a smart adjustment. But let’s be clear—Arike isn’t getting sidelined. If the Wings want to contend for a title, they need her firepower. Yes, she might not have had some shooting and field goal woes last year as well, but then, coaches have been changed every two years since she was drafted in 2019. Every coach brings a new rulebook, and amidst all that case, let’s not forget, she has kept the Wings relevant. 

One fan said, “Arike just sold the entire game.”

Yeah, she low-key did (2-14 FG)—but she wasn’t the only one. DiJonai Carrington had a rough night (2-8 FG), and Myisha Hines-Allen (2-9 FG) struggled too. When three of your five starters are off, a loss is almost inevitable. The only reason the Wings didn’t lose by 20 was because Paige Bueckers kept her composure, NaLyssa Smith(4-6 FG) found rhythm late, and bench players like Teaira McCowan(4-7 FG)and Maddy Siegrist (5-10 FG)stepped up big.

Another fan said, “Paige’s teammates don’t pass. But when she has the ball she passes it to teammates who can’t finish. She doesn’t hunt down shots. This isn’t UConn anymore.”

Fair point—but let’s not forget, training camp only started on April 27. It’s been barely 25 days. Building chemistry takes time, especially with a rookie running the show. And Koclanes has full faith in Arike. “Just continue to coach her and empower her to be aggressive while also playing within our structure,” he said. “The more she can impact the game even when the ball isn’t going in, the more she’s going to help this team.”

Still, the numbers don’t lie. In both games the Wings lost this season, their opponents—Minnesota and Seattle—shot 8–9% better in effective field goal percentage (eFG%), according to WNBA stats. Dallas simply hasn’t been scoring efficiently, and that’s something they’ll need to fix fast. 

One fan said, “Paige looked visibly annoyed after she was wide open on that breakaway at the end there and someone went contested to the rim and bricked it. Their styles just don’t mesh well. Maybe that’ll change over time but it’s what I was concerned about in December.”

That frustration is understandable. Chemistry doesn’t happen overnight, especially with new teammates learning each other’s tendencies. Paige’s pass to DiJonai Carrington in the paint showed she’s doing her part, making sure the ball reaches teammates when they’re open. The challenge now is for everyone to sync up and finish those plays.

In the end, patience will be key. With time, this Wings roster has the potential to click. What do you think? Should Arike be sidelined just for one bad game?