Ever since Paige Bueckers was drafted No. 1 overall, right after Caitlin Clark, the spotlight has been intense. With that came expectations, comparisons, and constant scrutiny. But Bueckers has been clear that she’s not caught up in any rivalry. Her focus, she says, is internal.  “I want to be better,” Bueckers said. “I watch film, and I can see places where I should’ve made a better read or slowed down. I want to play every game at a high level.” That mindset was on full display when she stepped in as the spoiler against the Phoenix Mercury, helping the underdog Wings to a surprising win. But honestly, none of her efforts could have prepared her for what happened in the rematch, which left even the fans furious!

It all unfolded as the Dallas Wings began their three-game road trip, starting with the Mercury before heading cross-country to face the Chicago Sky and Indiana Fever next week. Despite holding nearly a 63% chance of winning, the Wings dropped to 6–14 after a crushing 102–72 loss to Phoenix. But it wasn’t just the lopsided scoreboard that stung, as the real concern came when Paige Bueckers took a hard hit to the head from Kalani Brown while going up for a layup during the game. And, just like we’ve seen too often lately, no foul was called, even though Bueckers was clearly shaken up. As seen in the video posted on X, she reached for her ear where Brown made contact, then forced herself back into transition defense.

But it isn’t just about the no-call; the bigger concern was Paige’s health. Why? Because she’s already been under concussion protocol earlier this season. So, you can imagine why the fans flooded the comment section.

As usual, when the video of the hit went viral, fans couldn’t help but dive into the comment section to share their unique perspectives on the matter. And, as expected, many were agitated, after all, their rookie All-Star who’s going to play her first-ever game on July 19th, was nearly injured. “Not only is that a foul, could be reviewed for a F1. Refs are atrocious,” penned one spectator. And they weren’t wrong. It’s not that Kalani Brown fouled intentionally, but yes, it was a clear foul that went unnoticed, even as PB lay on the floor for a couple of seconds. Meanwhile, the game continued as Sami Whitcomb took the ball away after the block.

Well, it was the possession that mattered at that moment, and it reflected in today’s game. Just consider that Whitcomb scored 22 points in the opening 12 minutes alone, helping the Mercury build a 33–21 lead. In fact, her 29 points in the first half marked the most by any WNBA player in the first half this season. She finished with a career-high 36 points. But fans had no time to applaud her, their concerns about the officiating, which has been off the entire season, rang louder. “They are so bad. Refuse to protect their stars too. I mean every player should be protected, but it’s like with the star players, they are somehow worse when it comes to them?? I mean Angel, Caitlin, Paige, etc. Only a couple teams they will call for lol,” added another user.

And they’re right, the stats reflect a clear disparity in foul calls. While Bueckers and company went 10-for-12 from the line (an impressive 83.3%), the Mercury had 25 free-throw attempts and shot 64%. That’s nearly double the opportunities. And as one user put it, it’s not just about the wins or losses anymore. Well, Sabrina Ionescu summed it up best: “In the WNBA, star players don’t always get the same treatment.” she said earlier in the season. And that was evident, from PB’s recent no-call to Clark’s confusion, Plum’s bruises, and Reese’s fiery encounters.

“I see why @Reese10Angel spoke out and doesn’t give af about being fined. These refs definitely got agendas,” wrote another user. We’ve already seen the level of physicality that’s becoming common in the W, with many fouls going unnoticed. Remember Caitlin Clark’s run-in with Jacy Sheldon? The scratches, grabs, and eye pokes she suffered led to multiple technicals being handed out in that game. It should’ve been a lesson, but clearly, the league hasn’t learned.

“Like @Reese10Angel said yesterday, these players are going to get hurt because these dumb refs and these organizations not protecting them,” another fan posted, tagging both the Chicago Sky and the Dallas Wings. The Chicago Sky superstar herself addressed the issue after a tough loss to the Minnesota Lynx, where the Sky faced a 17–8 free-throw disparity. “It’s tough when you talk to officials and I ask them, ‘Hey, why did we only shoot two free throws?’ She tells me it’s not her job,” Reese shared during her postgame press conference. That same imbalance showed up in the Wings’ recent game, but PB stayed quiet. Thankfully, though, she is “feeling okay,” according to her coach.

One fan wrote, “They have another game on the road on Wednesday. She’s had pain in her knee these last couple of games from bad time management by the coaching staff. The last thing the Wings need (we only have 8 healthy players) is something happening to her or having more minutes than necessary.” Yes, PB’s journey has been anything but easy. She’s already missed four games due to concussion protocol and one due to knee precaution against the Mystics. Yet, despite her absences, she’s played 15 games and has been stellar, averaging around 18.7 points per game, earning WNBA Rookie of the Month for June.

That’s why her presence matters even more, especially since, unlike most rookies, PB averages 35.4 minutes per game, a heavy workload that speaks to her value on the floor. But PB has made her stance clear. Earlier this season, she said, “I want to be on the court for all 40, and if it were up to me…” So if she’s out there, it’s because she wants to be, not just because the team needs her. But still, with another game looming, the question remains: Will she suit up again?