Dallas Wings Capture Road Win Against Connecticut Sun, 86-83

Paige Bueckers (No. 5) of the Dallas Wings had another solid 21-point performance against the Connecticut Sun at Mohegan Sun Arena. (Photo: Tammy McManaway Sports Photography)

UNCASVILLE, Conn. — The Dallas Wings are steadily rediscovering their competitive edge—and their latest road win proved just how dangerous they can be.

A strong first-half performance from rookie guard Paige Bueckers combined with a fiery second-half spark from fellow rookie Aziaha James propelled the Wings past the Connecticut Sun, 86–83, on Friday night at Mohegan Sun Arena.

For Bueckers, it was more than a game—it was a homecoming of sorts.

“Yea, it’s fun coming back here every single time,” Bueckers said. “They’ve always shown so much love to me, and it’s been a state that’s done a lot for me. And so it’s always amazing to come back and to get another win here, continue to keep building on what we’ve been doing as a team, and keep striving for better.”

Returning to the one of the arenas where she shined during her collegiate career with UConn, Bueckers dazzled in familiar territory, finishing with 21 points on 7-of-16 shooting. She also tallied seven assists, two steals, and two rebounds in a 37-minute effort that reaffirmed her growing stature in the WNBA.

While Bueckers anchored the first half, it was James who turned the tide in the third quarter. The NC State product, who had been seeking consistency in recent games, found her moment—attacking with confidence, drawing fouls, and pacing the Wings with 17 points, five rebounds, and five assists.

“I’ve been shying from attacking at the rim in these past few games,” James said. “So, I just had to turn a different mode; help my teammates out. They was in foul trouble. So, that was our main goal—just keep getting to that free throw line.”

Together, the rookie duo provided the balance and spark Dallas (3–11) needed to secure a crucial road victory. Their effort was amplified by solid production from NaLyssa Smith, who delivered 12 points and seven rebounds, and Li Yueru, who contributed 11 points and nine boards off the bench.

Meanwhile, veteran Arike Ogunbowale struggled from the floor (2-of-9), but came through with a key fourth-quarter three-pointer and a steady presence in crunch time.

Kaila Charles and DiJonai Carrington chipped in 14 combined points and 11 rebounds, helping Dallas maintain pressure and pace when the game tightened.

Even with contributions across the board, it was Bueckers and James who ultimately pushed Dallas over the top.

“We’re in that game, and she [Paige] carries us the first half,” Wings head coach Chris Koclanes said. “Has an incredible first half scoring-wise, and then doesn’t have a field goal in the second half, but has five assists and plays fantastic defense and continues to find ways to impact the game and make winning plays.”

James, too, drew praise from Koclanes for staying ready and rising to the occasion.

Aziaha James (No. 10) of the Dallas Wings had a standout performance against the Connecticut Sun on Friday night. (Photo: Tammy McManaway Sports Photography)

“Aziaha stuck with it; she didn’t play a ton of minutes in that first half, and then it was the spark that we needed,” he said. “You saw in the third quarter and the second half—like, that’s the Aziaha James. It’s natural… rookie year, feeling it out.”

For Bueckers, this season has already become one of growth, learning, and asserting herself among veterans.

“It’s been fun. It’s been a new journey and a new challenge,” she reflected. “It’s different than anything that I’ve ever been through as a player and as a person—just coming in, trying to earn everybody’s respect, but also lead and be a great teammate.”

The Dallas rookie is embracing the evolving responsibilities of pro life.

“Trying to find my voice, find my way, find my role on the team—that challenge has been fun in itself,” Bueckers added. “And it’s been just fun to build new relationships and just embrace the city, embrace being on this team.”

Koclanes underscored how valuable her presence has been, even beyond the box score.

“Off the floor… just continuing to get more and more confident each day into her voice and into her role as a leader that this team needs,” he said.

Connecticut (2-11) put up a valiant effort, fueled by the veteran leadership of Tina Charles. The former league MVP dropped a game-high 26 points, hitting 10-of-11 from the free throw line and collecting six rebounds.

Jacy Sheldon contributed 10 points in 24 minutes, while Marina Mabrey dished out six assists to go with her eight points. Off the bench, Aneesah Morrow and Olivia Nelson-Ododa combined for 16 points and 13 rebounds, giving the Sun quality second-chance looks.

Still, the Wings owned the paint, outrebounding the Sun 42–29. Carrington pulled down seven offensive rebounds while Yueru’s presence in the post neutralized Connecticut’s inside advantage late in the game.

“Our team has been wanting it for her [James], so excited for her,” Koclanes said. “And then Li, to what Paige was saying, her IQ is just so high. And for her to pick things up as quickly as she has and to have an impact like she’s been having is great.”

Injuries to Maddy Siegrist and Tyasha Harris left Dallas with a shortened bench, but the Wings made the most of every player available. JJ Quinerly provided two assists in limited minutes, while Charles and Carrington offered hustle and timely plays that didn’t always show up on the stat sheet.

Li Yueru (No. 28) of the Dallas Wings showcased her basketball savvy on Friday night against the Connecticut Sun. (Photo: Tammy McManaway Sports Photography)

“It’s our depth right now. It’s our competitive depth,” Koclanes explained. “And so again, Kaila was great in the first half, and then My [Myisha Hines-Allen] was fantastic in the second half just with her effort on the glass. So it’s just so many different weapons.”

With the Sun within a few possessions in the opening moments of the fourth quarter, the game tilted Dallas’ way in the final two minutes. Free throws from Bueckers and James down the stretch helped the Wings ice the win and notch their third victory of the season.

As the final horn sounded, it was Bueckers who reflected the energy of a confident team beginning to put the pieces together.

“This was a full team victory, so that was fun to play that way,” she said.

Next Stop

Dallas now turns its attention to a Sunday showdown with Kiki Iriafen, Sonia Citron and the Washington Mystics. For Koclanes, the formula is simple: stay competitive, stay connected.

“You just don’t know where the contribution’s gonna come from each night,” he said. “But there’s lots.”

For now, the Wings are finding their rhythm—and perhaps, turning a corner.

Dallas Wings: By the Numbers

NaLyssa Smith (No. 1) of the Dallas Wings was a catalyst against the Connecticut Sun. (Photo: Dallas Wings Basketball)

Connecticut Sun: By the Numbers

Tina Charles (No. 31) provided plentiful points for the Connecticut Sun in her team’s fight against the Dallas Wings. (Photo: Tammy McManaway Sports Photography)

Editor’s Notes

Terrill Covey contributed to this article directly onsite from Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Connecticut.