James, Bueckers Power Dallas Wings Past Phoenix Mercury

Aziaha James (No. 10) and Paige Bueckers (No. 5) led the Dallas Wings to an impactful 98-89 win over the Phoenix Mercury. (Photo: Rachel Schuoler | The Podium Finish)

ARLINGTON, Texas – With their backs still against the wall in a rebuilding season filled with growing pains and slim margins for error, the Dallas Wings again leaned on their young core — and once again, that trust was rewarded.

Rookies Aziaha James and Paige Bueckers put on a clinic at both ends of the floor Thursday night, powering the Wings to a 98-89 victory over the Phoenix Mercury before a raucous crowd at College Park Center.

James exploded for a career-high 28 points, including five made three-pointers, while adding six rebounds, six assists, and two steals in a two-way performance that set the tone for Dallas’ energetic showing. Bueckers, fresh off being named WNBA Rookie of the Month for June, added 23 points of her own on 8-of-11 shooting, while dishing five assists and grabbing four boards despite the Mercury’s physical defensive approach.

Dallas (6-13) shot 47.8% from the field and assisted on 20 of its 32 field goals, executing crisply through traps and ball pressure. More than just a scoring duo, James and Bueckers anchored a balanced, selfless attack that saw six Wings players score at least five points and every player contribute defensively.

“It’s really fun to play team basketball like this, where on any given night, it can be anybody’s night,” Bueckers said following the win. “And for us to have multiple people contributing to the win — all eight who played made an impact. And, obviously, it was ‘The Aziaha James Game.’ So that was extremely fun to watch and to be a part of.”

Phoenix (12-6) was paced by 33 points from Kahleah Copper and 20 from Satou Sabally, but the Mercury never fully recovered from Dallas’ sustained pressure, transition scoring, and perimeter shot-making. The Mercury struggled with 21 turnovers — many of them converted by Dallas into momentum-building buckets.

“It’s not just offensively too,” Bueckers added. “She’s guarding one of the best perimeter players in the league on the other end in Kah. So to take that on and to be fearless and to just be confident, I’m so happy for [Aziaha], because she has it in her. She’s always had it in her.”

In a game where Dallas never trailed by more than four points and led for 34 of the 40 minutes, the chemistry Bueckers referenced was evident.

JJ Quinerly added 17 points and a team-high seven assists, while Teaira McCowan and Li Yueru combined for 21 points and 14 rebounds in the post. Dallas won the rebounding battle 38-26, and its frontcourt imposed a quiet but crucial interior presence that helped neutralize Phoenix’s halfcourt strength.

The first quarter saw both teams trading punches early. Copper and Monique Akoa Makani kept Phoenix within striking distance with efficient shooting, but James and Quinerly pushed the pace late in the period. Dallas led 27-23 after one, then tightened the screws defensively in the second.

Yueru’s activity on the boards proved decisive in preventing Phoenix from getting clean second-chance looks. Despite Copper’s ability to get to the line — she finished 9-of-13 on free throws — Dallas contained dribble penetration long enough to rotate effectively. That communication led to 15 team steals, five from the rookie backcourt of Bueckers and Quinerly.

The Wings took a 61-43 lead into halftime and opened the third quarter with a 13-5 burst fueled by triples from Bueckers and James. James’ fifth three-pointer — a pull-up in rhythm from the left wing over a late contest — capped the run and ignited the crowd.

JJ Quinerly (No. 11) of the Dallas Wings had a sensational game in the midst of her solid rookie season. (Photo: Rachel Schuoler | The Podium Finish)

While Phoenix trimmed the deficit to single digits midway through the fourth, Dallas never lost composure. Quinerly’s steady hands and James’ aggression kept the Mercury on their heels, while Bueckers navigated double teams to find open teammates. Yueru calmly knocked down 10-of-12 free throws to help Dallas ice the game in the closing minutes.

Head coach Chris Koclanes praised the total team effort and the intangibles that fueled it.

“I’m proud of our team, proud for their fight and fearlessness, and just love it for them that they’re experiencing success,” Koclanes said. “And when they’re out there hooping like that. For me, I just try to stay level — and not either way. When it’s going great, I want them to feel that, and I’m gonna give it to them. And then when it’s not going great, I’ma be the same.

“But for them to be out there competing the way they were competing and just feeding off of each other, we’re gonna capture that. We’re gonna build on it, and we’re gonna keep moving forward.”

While Copper’s 33 points led all scorers and Sabally got to the line frequently, Phoenix’s guards struggled to penetrate against the Wings’ pressure. Sami Whitcomb was just 1-for-8 from the floor, and Kitija Laksa couldn’t find a rhythm in her 16 minutes. The Mercury turned the ball over 21 times, including four shot clock violations and three steals by Dallas in the final five minutes of play.

Still, the Mercury showed flashes in the final period, cutting the deficit to 91-84 after a Sabally and-one. But a Bueckers floater and clutch rebounds from McCowan and Myisha Hines-Allen closed the door.

Paige Bueckers (No. 5) of the Dallas Wings was double teamed at times, but still tallied 23 points in a winning cause against the Phoenix Mercury. (Photo: Rachel Schuoler | The Podium Finish)

Beyond the stat sheet, the game marked another milestone in Dallas’ development arc. The Wings’ young core continues to show poise beyond its years, staying disciplined in game situations where earlier this season they might have faltered. And Bueckers — even while handling increased defensive attention — continues to embrace the moment.

“To be able to grow off this as a team,” she reflected, “JJ having a great night, as the backcourt rooks as well. But then just Li, Lu, My, Tea — just holding it down in the paint — I feel like just one through eight, it was really fun to play like that and really rewarding.”

Koclanes echoed the importance of staying even-keeled, especially with a rematch on the road looming.

“Tonight was a great night,” he said. “Now, again, we turn around and go to Phoenix [on Monday night], and you can just guess what kind of effort you’re gonna get from them. They’re licking their lips right now that they get us again right away.

“So that’ll be a great test for a young group now. How do you respond on the road to a team that you just took care of at home? So looking forward to that.”

Next Stop

After an Independence Day break, the Wings practice at College Park Center on Saturday, have an off day on Sunday and proceed to PHX Arena for another duel against the Mercury.

Phoenix Mercury: By the Numbers

Kahleah Copper (No. 2) of the Phoenix Mercury tallied 33 points against the Dallas Wings at College Park Center. (Photo: Rachel Schuoler | The Podium Finish)

Team Totals: 28-67 FG (41.8%), 8-23 3PT (34.8%), 25-31 FT (80.6%), 26 REB (7 OREB, 19 DREB), 21 AST, 10 STL, 6 BLK, 21 TO, 22 PF, 89 PTS

Dallas Wings: By the Numbers

Li Yueru (No. 28) and Luisa Geiselsöder (No. 18) celebrate an inspired Dallas Wings win over the Phoenix Mercury at College Park Center. (Photo: Rachel Schuoler | The Podium Finish)

Team Totals: 32-67 FG (47.8%), 8-22 3PT (36.4%), 26-31 FT (83.9%), 38 REB (8 OREB, 30 DREB), 20 AST, 15 STL, 4 BLK, 15 TO, 22 PF, 98 PTS