Paige Bueckers was expected to thrive in the 3v3 format. Her step-back threes, clean middies, and butter-like handles made Bueckers game 3v3-proof. And Bueckers has fulfilled the expectations. She was named to the All-Unrivaled First Team. After averaging  22.1 points per game for Breeze, the fourth-highest in the league, with 6.1 rebounds and 5.5 assists. Heading into the first round of the playoffs, Bueckers’ young team had a tall task against Chelsea Gray and defending champions Rose. Nevertheless, Bueckers and Co. were ready.

It quickly became the Bueckers show. The point guard scored 29 points, 4 rebounds and 2 assists to lead Breeze to a 69-50 victory. Dominique Malonga was an able supporter, scoring 14, grabbing 17 rebounds and adding 2 assists. However, more impressive was the fact that they clamped one of the best players in the league and MVP contender, Chelsea Gray, to just 11 points and 5-18 from the field. There was only one strategy for Bueckers: don’t take your foot off the gas.

“Yeah, it’s funny because in every huddle at halftime, in every speech that we had, we’re like, this is Chelsea’s time, y’all,'” Bueckers said after the game. “Don’t let up. Don’t take your foot off the gas. It doesn’t matter how many shots she missed.”

Even when leading up to the playoffs, it was Chelsea Gray who had carried them. She delivered one of those kinds of performances, matching Marina Mabrey’s Unrivaled record for 3-pointers in a game with 10. Rose needed every one of those as they squeaked out a 70-66 victory against Laces.

Gray finished the game with a whopping 38 points, along with seven rebounds and four assists. She averaged 24.2 points and 6.1 assists per game in the regular season. The threat was very real. Even so, Chelsea Gray often turns up in the playoffs. 

“We were up 17 at the end of the third and going into target score. And I literally was like, I’ve seen Chelsea do crazier S***.”So I’m just going to say, like, that’s a legend, man. She’s a playoff riser,” Bueckers further said. “Like, to be able to play against her in this playoff format and just bring the best out of, like, that’s what competitors do. Iron sharpens iron.”

Paige Bueckers and Co. pulled out all the stops against Gray. They implemented different schemes and quickly switched on the screen to force her to go for contested shots. Cameron Brink, Rickea Jackson, and Dominique Malonga’s length helped them double-team Gray. More importantly, they also cut off her passing lanes to sustain that pressure. Through the tactics, it was Bueckers leading the young side. As Candace Parker said, “There are certain stages where the rookie becomes the vet.”

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On the big stage, Bueckers showed that she is taking that step up. But locking down a legend like Chelsea Gray wasn’t just about defensive schemes, it was about the mindset Bueckers has been quietly building.

Paige Bueckers Reveals Leadership Secret Ahead of Unrivaled Semifinals

Time and time again we have heard that Paige Bueckers is mature beyond her years at UConn. That quality further flowered at Dallas Wings, where she was on a team that wasn’t dominating. She is the face of the franchise and understands her responsibility. Despite not winning much, she was the lone inspiration of the team. Despite practically carrying the side, she did not throw anyone under the bus and asked the fans to be patient. Now at Breeze, she took a similar role in a young side. 

“Growing as a leader and finding how to use my voice, I’ve always been a person who wants to please everyone,” Bueckers said. “Make sure everybody’s happy with this, that & the third but I think learning how to hold people accountable while also holding myself accountable and taking responsibility for the team.”

As Bueckers continues in her WNBA and Unrivaled journey, she will face different challenges. For the Dallas Wings, there weren’t many expectations for the team to win. How will Bueckers fare when the situation flips? At Unrivaled she is leading a majority young side. It will be interesting to see how Bueckers manages the locker room featuring veterans and bigger egos. 

“I still have so much room to improve & I still have so much room to grow. I get super hard on myself a lot of times, just because I expect perfection out of myself & I prepare that way,” Bueckers said. Now they will face Mist in the semifinals and they will need Bueckers, the leader will be essential in their march to the title.