Whatever rock bottom looked like before, the Wings just found a new low. The Dallas Wings fell to 1-10, and it wasn’t just about their 6th consecutive L, but rather about how they lost. After being out since May 29 with a concussion and an illness, Paige Bueckers finally made her return for the Dallas Wings. However, it turns out that only a miracle can help Dallas now, not a mere mortal rookie sensation.

Before returning, “There’s nowhere I’d rather be,” Bueckers said. “Battled some stuff, glad to be back. Excited to keep building, get back on the court.” And she made sure to let her box scores reflect how happy she was to be supporting her squad. With a career high 35 points, 6 boards, 4 assists, 1 block, 13 of 19 from the field and 5 of 7 from the 3 point range. In short, she came in hot, shooting about 68% overall and over 70% from deep. Regardless, the Wings lost 93-80 to the Mercury.

The Dallas die-hards are left scratching their heads, wondering where the squad is falling short every single time. But the Wings forward Luisa Geiselsoder just made it easier to understand with a truth bomb she dropped after the game. In the postgame presser, she said “There is room to improve for sure and it’s just… Really getting over this hump.” And that hump is starting to look more like a mountain with every game they drop. She didn’t stop there though.

“Like, we are always close but then we go back down. We are never actually getting over this hump.” And she couldn’t have been more honest here. The Sparks game? Dallas was down by just five at halftime before giving up a 19-4 third-quarter run that buried them. Against the Lynx, they clawed back from 17 down to make it a one-point game, only to be outscored 24-9 in the fourth. Even in Seattle, they were neck and neck until the Storm closed the door with a late 10-0 burst. Time and again, the Wings have risen, only to unravel when it counted.

However, HC Chris Koclanes isn’t losing all the hope just yet. An interviewer asked him “What are the positives that y’all can take from the spots?”. He made it crystal clear that with consistent efforts, the Wings will see results soon. “Positives again, just the the resiliency to continue to fight back right after runs and runs and runs. Continue to go and continue to to run it back at them and and play.” He spoke like a true leader there. Choosing grit over gloom. And maybe with that attitude, Paige Bueckers’ return, and Luisa Geiselsoder’s clarity, the Wings will finally bag their second win soon.

Paige Bueckers’ losing atftitude

Paige Bueckers has spent her basketball career dominating at the highest levels. So naturally, losing at this rate is an unfamiliar territory. At UConn, she put up elite numbers: 19.8 points, 4.7 rebounds, and 4.6 assists per game while shooting an efficient 53.1% from the field and 42.3% from three. During her time there, the Huskies were a powerhouse, never falling short of the Sweet Sixteen, and the only season they missed the Final Four was when she was sidelined by injury.

Her final year culminated in a perfect manner with a national championship, where she played a key role in dismantling South Carolina in the title game. Now, with the Dallas Wings, she’s facing a harsh reality. It’s a franchise that has only won a single playoff series since their Detroit Shock days in 2009. At 1-10, the worst record in the league, Paige Bueckers is enduring losses one after another. But instead of crumbling under the pressure, she’s handling it with a level of maturity that defies her rookie status.

“It’s challenging but very rewarding in  sense of you being super process-oriented and not result-oriented,” Bueckers said. She emphasized her focus on long-term growth over short-term wins. She explained that her approach is about staying true to their system regardless of outcomes. “How we want to have a set of standards, build a culture and have a way we do things and stick to that regardless of wins or losses… Then the results will follow and will come as we continue to stay disciplined in who we are every single day.”

However, don’t mistake her, she’s not just waiting for improvement; she’s actively shaping it. “Just trying to lead by example, lead with my voice and just have difficult conversations,” she said. “Get to know these people on and off the court and continue to build that chemistry… Just like anything in life, it’s a journey.”

Looking ahead, the Wings face a tough road but have chances to snag wins against weaker teams. Bueckers’ return is a bright spot, and if they can tighten up those late-game moments, that second win might just be around the corner. Whether or not the Wings turn things around this season, one thing is certain. Paige Bueckers isn’t just along for the ride, she’s helping steer the ship.