It was just her second game in the WNBA, but Paige Bueckers is already living up to the hype and ‘her standards’. After her solid debut against the defensively strong Minnesota Lynx, Bueckers was determined to claim her first win. Starting hot against the Seattle Storm, the Dallas Wings’ guard began filling in every stat, and by the time the buzzer sounded, had etched her name in the history books.

It was expected. Dallas Wings’ GM Curt Miller already predicted the franchise’s future with Bueckers as his first overall pick. “She just impacts winning,” he said when the side chose Paige on April 14. The UConn star showed flashes of her brilliance in the first game, finishing the tough matchup with 10 points, seven rebounds, two assists, and one block. In the second, she upped her game with 19 points, eight assists, five rebounds, two steals, and a block against the Storm.

The total of her first two games comes out to 29 points, 12 rebounds, and 10 assists. These numbers are not common for any rookie. Not even Diana Taurasi, A’ja Wilson, or Caitlin Clark were able to reach those milestone figures in their first two games. Yes, it’s an elite list, and Paige has become a member of it now. The only other two stars with 20+ points with 10+ assists and 10+ rebounds in the opening two games combined were Candace Parker (2008) and Sabrina Ionescu (2020).

Both former number one picks shone in their opening games. Parker had a massive double-double with 34 points and 12 rebounds on her Sparks debut. Ionescu scored 12 points and had 6 rebounds in her opening game with the NY Liberty. They followed up the dream debuts with exceptional performances in the second games, too. Looking at their illustrious careers, don’t be alarmed if Paige goes on to create more history in the league. And she has already started rewriting the Wings’ franchise records.

Leading the team in scoring and assists, Bueckers became the first Wings rookie to record a game with at least 15 points, five rebounds, and five assists since Arike Ogunbowale in 2019. It was a masterclass performance from Paige and a reminder to the league – not to take the Wings lightly.

Starting off the game with an elegant dime under the basket to Dejonai Carringhton, Paige controlled the proceedings in the game. Maintaining her efficiency, she netted seven baskets from 14 attempts, including a three-pointer in the first half.

Despite her record-setting night, Paige Bueckers was on the wrong end of the result. Big reason for this? Failure of other starters to support PB. Star guard Arike Ogunbowale had a rough shooting night, banking just two of her 14 attempts. Forward DiJonai Carrington also fell flat at the College Park Center with a 2-for-8 performance. Myisha Hines-Allen also took nine shots for her two baskets.

Despite all this, the Wings were close enough to grab a win with under a minute left in the third quarter. The score was 61-64 in favor of the Storm. Cutting a 17-point deficit down to three, it was a massive chance for the Wings to record their first win. But Dallas never managed to get over the hump. Defensive lapses and turnovers by the Wings’ stars allowed the Seattle Storm to get away with the win.

Bueckers getting better from game 1 to game 2 was the only positive sign for the team. But the team would have to work more to complement her smartly.

Paige Bueckers is starting to take over the Dallas Wings’ locker room…

Paige is used to the spotlight and never shies away from the responsibility. She delivered with the UConn side a month ago. And now Paige is on a mission to take her Dallas Wings side to the next level.

Speaking of her own performance, PB was 3-of-10 in the first game, scoring 10 points and dishing out just two assists. The shooting percentage improved drastically to 50%, but the important aspect that changed was her passing and chemistry on the court with her teammates. From just two assists to eight in just one game – PB is ready to play at number 1.

In attendance, Dallas legend Dirk Nowitzki already saw it coming. “I think [Paige Bueckers has] got the talent. She’s gonna be amazing for us,” Dirk told ESPN during the half-time interview. “She is gonna get better from game to game, from season to season. You already can see now she is more comfortable out there from game 1. So she is going to be ‘tremendous’ for this organization for long time.”

Paige’s progression in the team and season would benefit the franchise massively, getting the best out of every star around her on both offensive and defensive ends. The Wings will be in action against the Lynx next on May 21, and the game will be played at the Target Center, Minneapolis – close to Paige’s home town this time.