Paige Bueckers Torches & Dallas Was Cold as Your Ex’s Texts

The Big Night That Was Supposed to Be Clark vs. Paige

The WNBA showed up and the hype was there, like Avengers movie trailer hype.

For the second straight time in Dallas (they played against each other in Indiana) Caitlin Clark vs. Paige Bueckers was supposed to showcase the two premier young guards in the WNBA in front of a national television crowd, a sold-out building with Galactus size popcorn buckets in hand.

Dallas even moved the game to American Airlines Center to fit the 17,857 people who wanted to see the future of women’s basketball go bucket-for-bucket.

Then… no Caitlin. Groin injury. 15th missed game.

Instead, Indiana showed up as the hottest “Clark-less” team in the league and Dallas showed up as… well, the second-worst team in the league, Dallas. The Fever have now beaten the Wings three straight times this season, this time 88–78, and they didn’t even need Clark to do it.

Kelsey Mitchell led the way with 23 big points. Former Dallas Wings forward Natasha Howard had a monster double double tying a career-high with 16 boards, and scoring 11 points.

Additionally, Aliyah Boston had a complete game with 12 points, 11 boards, 5 assists, three steals and a blocked shot and kept bullying Dallas on the glass. And Aari McDonald — yeah, the same Aari McDonald the Sparks cut before the season — came in like a caffeine shot in a coffee shop and swung momentum anytime Dallas even thought about making a run.

Paige Is Carrying Like a Rucksack in ROTC

Paige gave the crowd exactly what they paid to see — another damn 20-piece. Her 12th of the year, third straight, and now she’s tied Odyssey Sims for second-most 20-burgers by a rookie in franchise history. Only six more to catch Arike’s rookie record of 18.

And it’s not just the buckets. Paige isn’t out here stat-padding — she’s competing like her dinner money’s on the line.

“Adrenaline… just the fact you don’t sulk on the past and focus on the present and contribute to winning anyway.”

That’s her DNA.

She’s not waiting for year two to “find her role.” She’s already guarding the toughest matchups, taking knees to the thigh, and still giving you 20+ while playing in different lineup combos every night.

“We’re competing in every single game that we’re playing, and we’re building reps… play in tight games, and play with different lineups… it’s really positive for us to get these reps in the first year that we’re playing. I think it will only help us in the long run and make us better.”

Dallas’ Game Plan: Get Close, Let Aari Cook, Repeat

The Wings actually looked sharp early. Forced five turnovers in the first quarter, scored six fast-break points, and had three blocks plus two steals — basically a defensive mixtape. Paige and Myisha Hines-Allen each had five early points.

Then reality hit and said “Hey girl” and slapped them in the face.

Indiana dominated the second quarter behind Chloe Bibby’s six points and a 14–6 run and woke things up like she was Klay Thompson. Paige closed the half with 15 points, Arike chipped in a few, but the Fever had already taken control on the glass and in the paint, changed the locks.

By the third quarter, Mitchell had her takeover moment, dropping nine points with all daggers keeping Dallas at arm’s length.

Dallas shot 28.6% in the frame and went 0-for-3 from deep.

The fourth gave a little false hope — Dallas cut the lead to six — but then Aari McDonald decided enough was enough, and rained on the Wings parade. Two big threes. Seven points in the quarter. Tempo cranked. Fever back in control.

Rebounding, 3s, and the Same Old Problems

Chris Koclanes didn’t duck the truth.

“No excuses, proud of our resilience in the 4th quarter but we need a toughness right from the tip. That game was all about toughness and physicality… we’ve got areas to improve and grow.”

Translation: We got punked on the boards.

Dallas got out-rebounded 44–30. They shot 13.3% from three (2-for-15). They didn’t hit their first triple until the fourth quarter. Indiana, meanwhile, drilled 12 threes at a 42.9% clip with Mitchell and McDonald combining for seven of them.

“When you have someone like Kelsey Mitchell, she’s just a nightmare… She’s tough. She just plays with such a good change of pace. She’s difficult to keep from getting to her spots.”

Dallas’ bench actually outscored Indiana’s reserves 31–21, with Aziaha James and Myisha Hines-Allen chipping in nine each. But bench points don’t fix the fact your starters get bullied in the trenches.

Paige Is Ready. Is Dallas?

Paige Bueckers has been the one constant in this season of shuffle. She doesn’t whine. She doesn’t coast. She gives you buckets, defense, and accountability every night.

 

“Just to hold ourselves accountable to it. Look in the mirror… just a will and desire to play and defend on that end of the floor.”

She’s still chasing history, still giving Dallas a reason to watch, and still making every night worth the ticket — even if the final score isn’t.