Paige Bueckers and Co. Impress ION Commentator Despite Loss to Dream

Last night’s game between the Dallas Wings and the Atlanta Dream was very close to being a historic one. However, it was not going to be historic for any reason that the Dallas Wings fans would want to remember. With an injury report as long as a typical WNBA rotation, there were increased fears of the Paige Bueckers-led Dallas Wings becoming the second team in league history to forfeit a game. However, Paige Bueckers again came to their rescue as her availability at the last minute spared Dallas’ blushes. 

Coming back from an illness, Paige Bueckers not only made her return, she went on to record a points and assists double-double. Although the team suffered its seventh straight loss, the players put up a valiant fight. They started the game well and even had a 4-point lead in the first quarter. However, the Atlanta Dream went on a 19-6 run and took a 13-point lead in the second quarter. In the second half, the Wings showed impressive fight and cut the lead down to just 4 points around the halfway mark in the third quarter. Considering the injuries, this fight was impressive, and ION commentators ensured to shout them out for it as well. 

As Serena Sundell prepared to inbound the ball, the commentator noted the grittiness the Dallas team had shown till then. He said, “I must say, when you watch Dallas tonight, if you had no idea what had gone on with their injury history, no idea they only had eight players tonight and you just watched this game, you’d say, you know Dallas is right there. They’re doing a good job.” Just as the commentator finished his sentence, Paige Bueckers pulled up from just behind the free-throw line and cut down the lead to just 4 points.

Staying this close to one of the best teams in the league was quite an achievement for this heavily depleted Wings roster. After drafting Paige Bueckers, the fans expected a Caitlin Clark-esque effect on the franchise and to make the playoffs. However, having suffered so many injuries, they were never able to settle into a rhythm this season. 

The injuries started with Tyasha Harris’ knee, which ruled her out for the season. After that, DiJonai Carrington (before her trade), Maddy Siegrest, and Paige Bueckers all missed extended time due to injuries. When it seemed like Dallas might be able to finish the season with some health, they suffered two more major blows. First, Arike Ogunbowale was diagnosed with knee tendinitis, and then JJ Quinerly also went down with an ACL injury. 

From a situation where they almost had to forfeit the game, it was a welcome surprise to see Dallas still managing to stay in the hunt for this long. After ending the third quarter down 71-67, Dallas could only muster up 11 points in the final quarter. Meanwhile, the Atlanta Dream went on to score 29 points, and the game finished in their favor at 100-78. With the win, the Atlanta Dream continue to put the pressure on the Las Vegas Aces in the hunt for the second seed.

After the disappointing 2025 season, the Dallas Wings are in danger of ending up as the team with the most losses in a WNBA season. As of now, they have lost 31 games this season. Two more losses in their remaining schedule, and they would be the team with the most losses in WNBA history. But, in this tough situation, Paige Bueckers has taken inspiration from an NBA superstar to motivate the fans. 

Paige Bueckers Takes a Page Out of Stephen Curry’s Book to Rally Dallas Wings Fans

After the disappointment of dropping their 31st game of the season, the morale around the Dallas Wings was pretty low. In a season where the only positive has been Paige Bueckers’ historic rookie year, the fans were understandably left wanting more. However, like a true leader, Paige Bueckers led from the front in trying to motivate the fans to stay behind the team. 

In doing so, she found inspiration from her favorite NBA player, Stephen Curry. During his rookie year, when the team was struggling to win, Steph had made a tweet promising the Warriors fans that they would figure things out. Using the same quote as an inspiration, Paige Bueckers said in her post-game interview, “I remember Steph Curry, before the Warriors became the Warriors, like, he, tweeted out…. ‘just stick with us… we’re gonna figure it out.’ That’s the message.”

With just a young roster and a chance to add another high lottery pick, the Dallas Wings are well placed to have a dominant future. We’ve already had a preview of the kind of dominance Paige Bueckers is capable of. With her and the team getting more and more experience, and with some injury luck, there is every possibility of the Dallas Wings dominating the league for the coming years.