Paige Bueckers attempts her shot in her WNBA debut with the Dallas Wings in the 2025 WNBA season opener against the Minnesota Lynx. (Photo: Rachel Schuoler | The Podium Finish)
ARLINGTON, Texas — On Friday night, Paige Bueckers took her long-anticipated first steps onto a WNBA court, helping to usher in a new era for the Dallas Wings in their season opener against the Minnesota Lynx at College Park Center.
Despite the excitement around Bueckers’ debut, the Lynx emerged victorious, defeating the Wings 99–84. Minnesota’s Napheesa Collier led the charge with a dominant performance, scoring 34 points, including 18 in the pivotal third quarter. Courtney Williams also contributed significantly, adding 25 points and 9 assists to the Lynx’s efforts.
For the Wings, Bueckers showcased her potential, finishing with 10 points, seven rebounds, and two assists. Arike Ogunbowale led all Wings scorers with 16 points, two boads and four dimes. Veteran guard Ty Harris, returning from injury, provided a steady presence, while DiJonai Carrington added a double-digit scoring performance.
The game served as both a measuring stick and springboard for a Dallas squad filled with promising young talent. After a strong second quarter showcasing flashes of offensive firepower and defensive cohesion, the Wings faltered late, allowing the more seasoned Lynx to capitalize.
Bueckers, who spent her collegiate career at UConn as one of the most celebrated players in recent memory, played with poise and intensity. While her shot did not consistently fall, her presence was unmistakable. She moved with confidence, looked for her teammates, and handled pressure from Minnesota’s defense with maturity beyond her years.
“Very motivated,” Bueckers said following the game. “You get to the point where you have reached your dreams and then you want to take off with it and see what you can do with it. Just getting to the dream is not enough. So continue to build on that. And like I talked about before, this is a starting foundation and we will get back at practice and continue to build off that the next day.”
Dallas head coach Chris Koclanes, who made his regular-season debut as the team’s new leader, remained optimistic despite the loss. He praised the team’s togetherness and competitiveness, especially in the first half.
“It is a learning process,” Koclanes said. “We will not be perfect early, but we will learn and get better. We want to best support our players and put them in positions to succeed. I am encouraged. I like our group of players, staff, our camaraderie, demeanor, and work ethic. This group will learn and continue to improve.”
Koclanes also highlighted the performances of several players, including veteran guard Ty Harris, who returned to the court on a minutes restriction but provided a steady presence. He noted that Harris’ return allowed him to give Bueckers a few different looks, moving her off the ball and easing some of her responsibilities in the backcourt.
DiJonai Carrington scored 15 points for the Dallas Wings in the season opener against the Minnesota Lynx. (Photo: Rachel Schuoler | The Podium Finish)
Carrington, one of the team’s emotional leaders, echoed her coach’s sentiments. While acknowledging the team’s mistakes in the second half, Carrington emphasized the importance of staying focused and trusting the process.
“I think they made adjustments. It could be fatigue, but I will have to watch the film,” Carrington said. “They stepped up a level and we stayed the same. In this league, everyone is too good for that. We have to be more locked in and focused.
“We blew a lot of coverages and gave them many open shots. We will figure it out. Like Coach says, ‘Never too high, never too low.’ It is the first game, a new team with many returners. We are still figuring it out, but I am excited.”
A season is not won or lost completely after the kickoff. Learning lessons are helpful as Carrington attests for the fledgling Wings roster.
“You saw it in spurts. We did a great job staying together,” she said. “Especially for a young team, it is easy to go your own way or think you have to do it by yourself or throw in the towel, but we did not. I am proud of that. Offensively, when we move the ball and change sides of the court, it looks really good. Playing with pace makes us hard to guard.
“In that second quarter, we were getting the ball out quickly, whether it was a make or a miss, and trying to run in transition. We had a lot of mismatches, especially when they played two smalls, and we exploited that well. There is a lot to grow from, but I am proud of how we took this first step. There is a lot to build on.”
Among the most exciting matchups of the night was the face-off between Bueckers and Napheesa Collier, an iconic UConn alum, who has established herself as one of the league’s top forwards. The two shared moments of high-level competition and mutual respect throughout the game.
“Yeah, it is extremely fun to play against her,” Bueckers said. “She is the ultimate competitor and brings out the best in you because she is one of the best in the league. We have played together with USA Basketball, so being on the other side and wanting to beat each other is fun too. That is the ultimate sign of respect. And just a good old UConn friendly chat.”
Paige Bueckers showcased poise and confidence in her first ever WNBA regular season game with the Dallas Wings. (Photo: Rachel Schuoler | The Podium Finish)
Despite the result, the energy inside College Park Center was palpable. A soldout crowd made its presence felt throughout, especially during Dallas’ second-quarter run, and gave the young Wings plenty to be hopeful about for the season ahead.
“I thought they were great,” Bueckers said of the fans. “They helped to shift momentum at times when we went on runs and they tried to help us stay encouraged and motivated when we needed some of that as well. But it was a great turnout. And it was great to play in front of them.”
Though the final score favored the Lynx, the debut of Bueckers, the first-year leadership of Koclanes, and the grit shown by the Wings laid a promising foundation. In a season where development and identity will be central themes, Friday night offered glimpses of the potential this team could unlock.
Next Stop
Following a rest day on Saturday and practice session on Sunday, the Dallas Wings clash against the Seattle Storm at home at College Park Center on Monday, May 19, at 7 p.m. CT, before starting a four-game road trip on Wednesday, May 21, against the Minnesota Lynx at Target Center in Minneapolis.
Minnesota Lynx: By the Numbers
Napheesa Collier (No. 24) had a sensational performance for the Minnesota Lynx against the Dallas Wings. (Photo: Rachel Schuoler | The Podium Finish)
Starters
| Player | MIN | FG | 3PT | FT | OREB | DREB | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TO | PF | +/- | PTS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Karlie Samuelson | 25 | 2-5 | 1-3 | 0-0 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | +14 | 5 |
| Jessica Shepard | 29 | 5-7 | 0-0 | 5-8 | 3 | 5 | 8 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 4 | +20 | 15 |
| Bridget Carleton | 30 | 1-5 | 1-4 | 0-0 | 0 | 7 | 7 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | +14 | 3 |
| Napheesa Collier | 32 | 12-21 | 2-3 | 8-8 | 1 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 4 | +28 | 34 |
| Courtney Williams | 28 | 10-15 | 2-4 | 3-3 | 0 | 4 | 4 | 9 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | +24 | 25 |
Bench
| Player | MIN | FG | 3PT | FT | OREB | DREB | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TO | PF | +/- | PTS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Diamond Miller | 20 | 4-5 | 1-1 | 4-7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 1 | +2 | 13 |
| Alissa Pili | 11 | 0-2 | 0-1 | 0-0 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 1 | -5 | 0 |
| Anastasiia Olairi Kosu | 3 | 0-0 | 0-0 | 0-0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | -6 | 0 |
| Marieme Badiane | 5 | 0-1 | 0-1 | 0-0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 3 | -7 | 0 |
| Natisha Hiedeman | 17 | 1-5 | 0-3 | 2-2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 4 | -9 | 4 |
Dallas Wings: By the Numbers
Maddy Siegrist tallied 11 points for the Dallas Wings off the bench in Friday night’s season opener against the Minnesota Lynx. (Photo: Rachel Schuoler | The Podium Finish)
Starters
| Player | MIN | FG | 3PT | FT | OREB | DREB | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TO | PF | +/- | PTS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Myisha Hines-Allen | 27 | 5-9 | 1-2 | 0-2 | 1 | 5 | 6 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 4 | 2 | -8 | 11 |
| NaLyssa Smith | 18 | 2-4 | 0-0 | 2-4 | 1 | 3 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | -11 | 6 |
| Arike Ogunbowale | 28 | 4-12 | 0-3 | 8-8 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 1 | -20 | 16 |
| DiJonai Carrington | 26 | 5-11 | 1-2 | 4-4 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 4 | -15 | 15 |
| Paige Bueckers | 30 | 3-10 | 0-2 | 4-4 | 1 | 6 | 7 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | -19 | 10 |
Bench
| Player | MIN | FG | 3PT | FT | OREB | DREB | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TO | PF | +/- | PTS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Maddy Siegrist | 31 | 5-10 | 1-3 | 0-0 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 2 | -15 | 11 |
| Teaira McCowan | 5 | 0-0 | 0-0 | 0-0 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 4 | +4 | 0 |
| Tyasha Harris | 14 | 2-3 | 1-1 | 0-0 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | -4 | 5 |
| Kaila Charles | 12 | 3-4 | 1-1 | 1-2 | 1 | 3 | 4 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 0 | +1 | 8 |
| Aziaha James | 6 | 0-1 | 0-0 | 0-0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | +6 | 0 |
| JJ Quinerly | 3 | 1-2 | 0-0 | 0-0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | +6 | 2 |
| Luisa Geiselsoder | DNP |
