Is it fair to say that Paige Bueckers’ biggest battle is not against any basketball team, but rather the unfair expectations placed against her? The Dallas Wings rookie looked like a fish out of water in her very first WNBA game, and that caught the basketball world by surprise! After all, while the transition from college to the pros is not easy for the average hooper, Bueckers is anything but. She has been at the top since day 1, and it was frankly jarring to see her struggle.

However, her drive and her competitive fire burned bright for everyone to see against the Minnesota Lynx. Yes, she had her flaws, and the pace of the game seemed a step too quick for her at times, but she didn’t lose what made her great. A prime example? Her interactions with the MVP hopeful Napheesa Collier.

Collier and Bueckers aren’t strangers by any means. How could they be? They’re both from UConn, they both played for USA Basketball together, and they’re both competitive beyond measure. Their bond goes way back to UConn’s intense practices under Geno Auriemma, who’d have his players scrapping like it’s March Madness every day. We saw all of those common threads in play during the clash between the Wings and the Lynx on Friday night. They exchanged a few words at the free-throw line, and it seemed pretty cut throat.

However, Paige Bueckers clarified that it was all love between the two during the postgame press conference. “It’s extremely fun to play against Phee.” Bueckers said. “She’s just the ultimate competitor, and she brings out the best in you because she’s one of the best in the league.” The rookie went on to talk about how the pair are familiar with each other, and how competing at such a high intensity is an incredible form of respect.

And as for the exchanged words? “Good ol’ UConn friendly chat.” She explained. It makes sense, after all–coach Geno would always want his players to compete, regardless of the level they were playing at. The two ex-Huskies are at completely different points in their career.

Collier was straight-up dominant, dropping 34 points, grabbing 7 rebounds, and tying the WNBA record for most points in a season opener, reminding everyone why she’s in the MVP conversation. Bueckers, meanwhile, fought hard but finished with 10 points on 3-of-10 shooting, plus 7 rebounds and 2 assists, in a tough 99-84 loss for the Wings.

Collier is playing at an MVP level, and has been a consistent All-Star for the last few years, while Bueckers is looking to start off  her journey with a bang.

However, it hasn’t been all sunshine and rainbows for the Dallas Wings rookie so far. How is she handling the transition to professional basketball? Let’s find out!

Paige Bueckers gets candid about rocky start to WNBA career

There’s no doubting Paige Bueckers excellence. We couldn’t question it before her injury, and she gave us no reason to question it afterwards either. The Dallas Wings rookie has accomplished everything a basketball player can dream of during her time at UConn–a natty, NPOY honors, and immense respect. However, the WNBA isn’t treating her as nicely as the NCAA did.

Let’s be honest, Bueckers needs some time to get used to the W.  Every rookie hits a wall, right? Even Caitlin Clark, last year’s No. 1 pick, faced challenges at the start of her WNBA career. In her debut, she scored 20 points but committed 10 turnovers, the most in a career debut in WNBA history, as the Indiana Fever fell to the Connecticut Sun 92-71. Bueckers is in a similar position, adapting to the league’s speed and physicality, like when Napheesa Collier stonewalled her in that second-quarter play.

We saw her struggling in the pre-season to get through screens, and deal with the physicality of the league, and we’re seeing it now. Her 10 points on 3/10 shooting splits did little to assuage concerns about growing pains and an adjustment window. But what did she have to say about it?

Well, in the postgame press conference, Paige Bueckers was quite optimistic about the situation in front of her. “The first one’s always the hardest, usually,” she said. “Not to say that it won’t get harder, but just being able to have a starting point and continuing to build off that. And then there’s no more questions about what is it going to be like for your first WNBA game. Now you have move on past that.” And that is exactly what separates her from the rest.

Bueckers’ mentality and headspace is stronger than a lot of the athletes that are in her position. But, to be fair, why wouldn’t it be? She has dealt with tougher things than a pro debut. It will be interesting to see how she bounces back from this setback, and if we’ll be able to see a new-look Bueckers during this WNBA season. Will she be able to lead Dallas to the playoffs? Only time will tell.