The last time Connecticut saw Paige Bueckers, she was wearing #5 for UConn, walking off the court into a tearful hug from her longtime mentor and coach, Geno Auriemma. There were still 1:32 minutes left in the Huskies’ rout of South Carolina, but the star guard knew those would be her final moments in college basketball. So, she took a deep breath and soaked it all in. And then, just like that, there was no turning back. A week later, she was #5 for the Dallas Wings. From training camps to preseason to the regular season, the WNBA’s tight schedule hardly gave Bueckers a chance to return to Connecticut—until now. But her homecoming wasn’t as simple as it seemed.

Bueckers, a UConn legend, returned with the burden of expectations, now representing a Dallas Wings team that had opened the season with an 0–4 record. So for Paige, the real challenge began long before stepping into the Mohegan Sun Arena. It was about more than just playing—it was about leading the Wings to their first win of the season on a court where she had never lost. As a Husky, Bueckers was undefeated at Mohegan Sun: 15–0 overall and 12–0 in the Big East Tournament.

“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 said before tip-off. But beating Connecticut on their home floor was no small task. So, Bueckers and Wings head coach Chris Koclanes approached it with intensity. After a hard-fought practice session, they sat down for a film session, breaking down every detail of the opponent’s game to eliminate any chance of failure. And, that extra preparation paid off.

When Bueckers stepped onto the court, the Mohegan Sun Arena erupted in applause—for an opponent. She received a standing ovation and then returned the love with an unforgettable performance. From the very first possession, Bueckers took control—assisting on the first three Dallas buckets of the night. Then she knocked down back-to-back jumpers, giving the Wings an early 11–5 lead and setting the tone. By halftime, she had 15 points, five rebounds, and four assists, helping Dallas take a commanding 56–42 lead.

But the Wings didn’t let up—and neither did Bueckers. In the third quarter, it was all her. She turned defense into offense with a timely block, and minutes later, reached a career-high 19 points. She then sank another jumper to notch her first 20+ point game as a pro. By the final buzzer, Bueckers had put up 21 points (career high), seven assists, five rebounds, two steals, and one block. Her performance helped Dallas defeat the Connecticut Sun 109–87—their first win of the season, and yet another undefeated outing for Bueckers at Mohegan Sun.

And in the process, she made history by becoming the first player in WNBA history to record 60 points and 30 assists in her first five career games. What made all this possible? One word: support.

A strong showing by the Dallas Wings ensured their rookie a good homecoming!

When Paige Bueckers stepped onto the court at the arena, fans saw some unfamiliar faces alongside her—but by the end of the night, they knew each one. That’s because Bueckers wasn’t leading the Wings alone. She was well-supported on the court by her Wings teammates. “Everybody contributed, and that’s what we’re after,” said Wings first-year coach Chris Koclanes. “We had a balance where everyone was hunting offense, and we made simple plays.” It was Arike Ogunbowale who scored 15 points in the third quarter to help the Wings maintain their 14-point lead.

Meanwhile, the Sun’s efforts started to fade. Tina Charles opened the fourth quarter strong and added nine points to give the Wings an impressive 21-point advantage with just six minutes left. But it was the Wings’ defense that really sealed the deal—they held Connecticut to just 33.3% from beyond the arc and 45% from the field overall. “I’ll remember having 26 assists on 37 baskets, how we played together as a team, and how unselfish we were,” Bueckers shared in an interview with the Chicago Sun-Times. In the end, Ogunbowale finished with 19 points, while DiJonai Carrington added 16.

And just like that, the Wings managed to get the better of the Connecticut Sun. So, it’s clear that the No. 1 pick in the WNBA Draft is already making a positive impact on the Wings. But the road ahead is far from easy, sitting at 1-4.