Paige Bueckers Experiences “Surreal” Feelings as Wings Rookie Breaks Silence After Undesirable Welcome to the WNBA

For years, fans waited for this moment. From the days she lit up high school gyms in Minnesota to dominating college courts with UConn, Paige Bueckers seemed destined for WNBA greatness. On Friday night, that journey officially began. But her welcome to the league? Let’s just say it didn’t go as planned.

In her first preseason game with the Dallas Wings, the No. 1 pick in the 2025 WNBA Draft faced off against none other than the WNBA champions Las Vegas Aces. Guess what? They wasted no time reminding her what the pros are all about. The Wings were handed a tough 112–78 loss at Purcell Pavilion in Notre Dame, Indiana.

It was a harsh introduction, but Bueckers handled it with the same composure that’s defined her career. “It’s super surreal,” Bueckers said after the game. “The turnaround from two weeks ago to now… just getting used to the new routines, traditions, teammates, and organizations.”

Paige Bueckers on her first game

“Its super surreal in terms of the turnaround from two weeks ago to where I am today. Getting used to new routines, traditions, teammates, and organizations.”

— Sara Jane Gamelli (@SaraJGamelli) May 3, 2025

Even with the blowout, Bueckers showed flashes of why she’s been hyped for so long. In 22 minutes, she scored 10 points on an efficient 4-for-7 shooting, knocked down two of her three attempts from beyond the arc, and added four rebounds and an assist.

You might be thinking, mere 10 points in the first game, how’s this a blowout? But considering the rookie has just entered the floor, it is a good beginning to preseason game. She got off to a solid start, scoring four points in the first quarter as Dallas actually led 25–23 after 10 minutes. But the second quarter was a different story.

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