Wings' Paige Bueckers has bumpy WNBA preseason debut in loss to Aces

Wings’ Paige Bueckers has bumpy WNBA preseason debut in loss to Aces

The Dallas Wings Guard Paige Bueckers drove into the teeth of the Las Vegas Aures defense in the first quarter of her debut of the WNBA. From the left, Bueckers started with a left -hander from 5 feet and then fell hard onto the baseline.

It was a greeting moment that may have left a blue spot.

Bueckers, the first overall selection in the WNBA design of 2025, after led a national title to a national title a month ago, scored 10 points in 23 minutes in 23 minutes when the reconstruction wings lost 112-78 against the constant title capital Aces.

Jackie Young scored 28 points for Las Vegas. She was one of three former Notre Dame players in the game, together with teammate Jewell Loyd and Dallas’ Arike Ogunbowale.

Bueckers hopes to turn around a franchise that went 2024 9-31. In the women’s NCAA tournament, she scored an average of 24.8 points for Uconn and finally provided the title that she has followed since her sensational Freshman season.

Now she is trying to reset after she lubricated through a 40-game college season that ended a month ago.

“It is super surreal in terms of the turn that I was two weeks ago,” said Bueckers. “I only enjoy it and enjoy at any moment, get used to new routines, traditions, new teammates, new organization. I am only happy to play basketball again with this new group and continue to grow and get better every day.”

Bueckers said the game pace and the talent level in the WNBA very differ from everything she experienced. She noticed that the aces had five former Olympicians in its line -up.

The physicality of the league sometimes seemed to get Bueckers. She questioned a no-call when she tried to ignite a quick break, and met Young, who made theft and turned her into a few free throws for the aces.

She looked unhappy with the three fouls. It was a problem to fight through screens.

A year ago, Caitlin Clark came into the league with unusual Star -Power and immediately increased the number of visitors and ratings, while at times he came together with the more established players of the WNBA.

The Wings hope to help Bueckers have a smooth transition to the pro game.

“We already have this example (from Season Clark) to learn, and I think we are prepared,” said Wings coach Chris Koclanes. “Paige is unique and special, and she is ready to be able to deal with everything that comes on and off the ground on and off the ground, and we will do everything we can to support her.

“They try to prepare and teach them and put them in positions to be successful, and then they have to let them go, and they have to let them live and let them experience,” said Koclanes. “So it is a balance to just feel what it looks like in the end.”

Reporting by the Associated Press.

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