The first few Paiges of Bueckers’ WNBA journey is officially in the books–and it hasn’t been the dream start fans had hoped for. The former UConn sensation has now dropped three straight games to start her pro career, something she’s rarely experienced. But the one loss that might sting the most? The clash against the Seattle Storm. Despite putting on arguably her best performance yet, it still ended in heartbreak. Yet, that wasn’t the biggest headline. Her tussle with Storm veteran Nneka Ogwumike quickly made the rounds online, generating so much chatter that the WNBA icon felt compelled to respond herself.

A video of Paige Bueckers getting caught between Nneka Ogwumike and Alysha Clark has gone viral, with a foul called instantly on the Storm. The clip was captioned, “Welcome to the W, Nneka”–a bold choice of words considering Nneka is a 13-year vet and former MVP. But the 9x All-Star handled it like a pro, delivering the classiest response you could imagine.

“You’re never too young or too old to be welcomed to the W. I’m here to roll with the big dogs. It’s the best league in the world, so I accept this [the video] with pride,” said the president of the Women’s National Basketball Players Association. Now that’s how you respond–with class, grace, and a little bit of swagger.

Nneka Ogwumike isn’t just any veteran, she’s a former MVP (2016), a champion with the Sparks, and a nine-time All-Star who’s been a cornerstone of the WNBA for over a decade. As the president of the players’ association, she’s fighting for the league’s future, pushing for things like a bigger revenue share in the next CBA. Her response to the viral clip wasn’t just about shrugging off a cheeky caption; it was about showing love for the game and welcoming a new star like Bueckers to the league’s spotlight.

Ogwumike let her game do the talking. She put on a vintage performance against the Wings, dropping 23 points and grabbing a career-high 19 rebounds to lead the Seattle Storm to a 79-71 win over Paige Bueckers and the crew. Safe to say–she was more than ready for the moment.

That moment on the court? It’s bigger than just a foul. It’s the WNBA in a nutshell, rookies like Bueckers coming in hot, ready to make a name for themselves, and vets like Ogwumike showing them what it takes to stay on top. It’s a league where you’re pushed to your limits, but there’s also this unspoken respect. Ogwumike’s response, both in the game and online, is proof of that. She’s not just a competitor; she’s a mentor paving the way for the next generation.

But while Paige still searches for her first W in the WNBA, the basketball world is witnessing the “Paige Bueckers effect” in full flow. Let’s take a look at it!

Paige Bueckers effect in full flow!

Everyone’s seen the Caitlin Clark effect by now. The surge in viewership, the spike in jersey sales–it’s all been Clark-driven. But it looks like Paige Bueckers is ready to keep that momentum going.

According to Front Office Sports, the opening-night game between Bueckers’ Dallas Wings and the Minnesota Lynx–along with the second half of the doubleheader–averaged over 612,000 viewers. That’s a whopping 121% jump from the same slot last season.

Thanks to Caitlin Clark, Ion’s 43 WNBA broadcasts last year averaged 677,000 viewers, up 133% from 2023. But there’s a twist this year! Take Clark out of the equation, and the numbers are still booming! Friday’s doubleheader—Lynx vs. Wings and Sparks vs. Valkyries–turned out to be the second- and third-most watched W games ever on Ion, per Sports Media Watch. Ion confirmed Tuesday that the Lynx-Wings game pulled 649,000 viewers, while Sparks-Valkyries followed close behind at 581,000.

This proves something big. The WNBA’s rise isn’t just a one-woman show anymore. Paige Bueckers is already playing a key role in pushing the league forward.