When Paige Bueckers entered the arena to lock horns against the Minnesota Lynx, the competition was intense. Not only were the Wings already 0-1 against the No. 1 team in the WNBA, but Bueckers also had some familiar support cheering for her courtside—her best friend and former UConn teammate, Azzi Fudd. It had been over a month since Fudd last saw Bueckers play live, so she ensured to take out some time. But while the Husky was fortunate enough to make it happen, Bueckers wasn’t so lucky. “You know the schedule and how rough it is and how you’re always on the go,” Bueckers explained. And, just one game later, though, she finally found her way back to what she calls her second home.

Thanks to the long WNBA schedule, the Wings were set to play their fourth regular-season game against the Connecticut Sun at Mohegan Sun Arena. So you can already imagine the excitement Bueckers must be feeling. “It’s great to be back, great to continue with this journey. Excited for the next day,” she said. But returning to a familiar court with a 0-4 record isn’t the ideal homecoming, especially when it’s a place tied to so many of her cherished memories.

At the Mohegan Sun Arena, Bueckers has played 15 games. And for each one, they exited undefeated. The Huskies and coach Geno Auriemma went 15-0 overall and 12-0 in the Big East Tournament during their star guard’s run. Bueckers even earned the tournament’s Most Outstanding Player third time, en route to their fifth straight conference title. The Wings’ rookie is now looking to carry a little of that charm to her new team.

So yes, the anticipation is real. However, this time, things will feel a little different.

“It’ll be weird stepping out on the court, I think, not in a UConn uniform. But that’ll be something I enjoy—a new experience, with a new team and in a new organization,” she said. Of course, it’ll be a bit strange for her. That jersey holds countless memories. From coming in with a star-studded class featuring players like Angel Reese and Caitlin Clark, to finding her own path under the mentorship of Geno Auriemma, it was always her team.

Starting off with a final four run in her freshman year, powering through injuries, to capping it off with a championship– 5 long years in Husky colors. When it was time for her to leave just a little over a month ago, a crowd of 20,000 filled the streets of Storrs. It was a victory parade, but also a silent farewell for Bueckers who will forever be remembered alongside the 2025 title banner.

“These past five years have been some of the most rewarding, challenging, and blessed years of my life… Just gratitude for all that Coach has meant to me, and how much he’s shaped me into the human and basketball player I am,” she wrote in her farewell message. But while saying goodbye was tough, Bueckers knows it’s time to move forward—especially with the Wings off to a rough start. The good news? She’s already started making that progress.

Paige Bueckers’ hopeful about Winless Wings with facts

No doubt, it took a while for Bueckers to adjust to the pace of the W, but she’s improving by the day. And if you’ve got any doubts… she’s leading the Wings in scoring, averaging 13.0 points, along with 6.3 assists, 1.8 steals, and 4.5 rebounds. In just four games, she’s tied for fifth in the league in assists and ranks 15th in assist-to-turnover ratio. Clearly, Paige is finding the rhythm she was looking for. However, with the Wings off to an 0-4 start, it may still be a challenge to help the team secure a win.

Especially now, as they face the Connecticut Sun—a team that nearly defeated the top-seeded Minnesota Lynx. While the Sun ultimately lost, for a moment it looked like an upset was brewing. Still, for Bueckers, playing at the Sun’s arena holds a unique advantage. “I have some great memories here. I don’t think we lost here in my UConn career, so we’ll try to carry those vibes over to this game and approach it with a winning mentality,” she added.

In 46 games played at Mohegan Sun Arena, UConn has only one loss, and that too came against Louisville when Bueckers was sidelined with an injury. Considering she had 12 points and 10 assists in her first homecoming game against the Lynx—becoming just the third player in league history to record a double-double in assists and points within their first three games—it feels like a win might finally be on the horizon.