Paige Bueckers (No. 4) played methodical Team USA Basketball along with Monique Billings (No. 14), tallying 16 points, 4 rebounds, 3 assists and 3 steals in a 91-48 victory over Puerto Rico. (Photo: USA Basketball)
SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico — There is a specific brand of basketball that Paige Bueckers has perfected: a quiet, surgical dominance that prioritizes efficiency over volume. On Thursday night at Coliseo de Puerto Rico, the Dallas Wings cornerstone put that clinical approach on full display, leading the USA Basketball Senior National Team to a 91-48 victory over Puerto Rico.
In just over 21 minutes of action, Bueckers spearheaded a balanced American attack with 16 points on 7-of-12 shooting. While the final score suggested a comfortable evening for the United States, Bueckers’ impact was most visible in the transition between a competitive first half and a second-half explosion.
The 24-year-old guard added four rebounds, three assists, three steals, and a block, finishing with a team-high plus-minus of +25. For the “ball-knowers” watching the 2026 FIBA World Cup Qualifiers, it was another masterclass in how Bueckers influences winning without needing to dominate the ball.
Clinical Execution and Defensive Pressure
Paige Bueckers turned to her midrange game for Team USA in their Thursday night tussle against Puerto Rico. (Photo: USA Basketball)
The United States established their defensive identity early, but it was Bueckers who provided the steadying hand when the game’s rhythm felt fractured. Playing in front of a spirited San Juan crowd, the U.S. utilized a starting lineup featuring Bueckers, Kelsey Plum, Monique Billings, Chelsea Gray, and Kiki Iriafen.
Bueckers was quick to praise the energy in the building, noting the significance of the turnout.
“It was great. I think the lower bowl was completely sold out,” Bueckers said. “So it was a great feel to it. Everybody was loud. Everybody was cheering, whether it be for the home team or the away team.”
The chemistry between the veterans and the younger stars was evident from the opening tip. Bueckers opened her account in the opening 28 seconds of the first quarter with a signature pull-up jump shot, followed quickly by another at the 5:21 mark to push the U.S. lead to 14-3.
While the American offense took time to find its perimeter stroke—finishing the night just 26.92% from 3-point range—Bueckers excelled by attacking the heart of the Puerto Rican defense. She was 5-of-7 on shots inside the paint, using her length and high-level footwork to finish over Puerto Rico’s Imani McGee-Stafford and Sofia Roma.
The defensive end was equally productive for the Wings star. Bueckers recorded her first steal within the opening ten minutes, and her defensive positioning contributed to a U.S. effort that forced 14 Puerto Rican turnovers.
Turning the Tide in the Third
Puerto Rico showed flashes of resilience, particularly through the play of India Pagan and Trinity San Antonio, keeping the game within respectable margins during the second quarter. However, the third period saw the U.S. pull away for good, outscoring the hosts 20-14 in the frame before a 25-15 fourth-quarter flurry.
That resilience didn’t go unnoticed by the American side.
“They fought and they fed off the home crowd. And they just have an intensity and a fight about them. They never quit,” Bueckers observed. “They played really physical… they had a really fast pace. They got up and down the floor, sped us up a little bit on defense, and then got out in transition a little bit on offense. And they made it tough for us.”
Bueckers’ versatility was the catalyst. At the 8:53 mark of the third, she knocked down a 24-foot 3-pointer off an assist from Plum. Moments later, she turned playmaker, finding Billings for a pair of free throws that extended the cushion.
The “positionless” nature of Bueckers’ game allowed U.S. head coach Kara Lawson to slide her across three different spots on the floor. Whether she was bringing the ball up to relieve pressure for Gray or playing off the ball to create space for Plum, Bueckers’ presence resulted in a scoring surge.
By the time the fourth quarter arrived, the U.S. lead had ballooned. Bueckers continued her two-way effort, recording a block on a McGee-Stafford layup attempt at the 6:35 mark, immediately followed by a defensive rebound and an assist to Iriafen for a fast-break layup.
Statistical Leaders and Team Depth
Paige Bueckers scored seven of her 16 points in the third frame for Team USA against Puerto Rico. (Photo: USA Basketball)
While Bueckers led the scoring, she was far from a solo act. Plum contributed 12 points and three assists, while Angel Reese provided a massive spark off the bench. Reese notched a double-double with 10 points and a game-high 13 rebounds, five of which came on the offensive glass.
Iriafen remained perfect from the floor, shooting 5-of-5 for 10 points, continuing her impressive run in the qualifying tournament. Jackie Young added nine points in under ten minutes of play, highlighting the staggering depth of a U.S. roster that saw 11 different players find the scoresheet.
For Puerto Rico, McGeee-Stafford led the way with 14 points, but the hosts struggled to overcome a 49-30 rebounding deficit and a 38-14 disadvantage in points in the paint.
The “Learn in Wins” Mentality
Paige Bueckers and Team USA look forward to reviewing the film from Thursday night’s win over Puerto Rico for their weekend games against Italy and New Zealand. (Photo: USA Basketball)
Despite the 43-point margin, the post-game mood from the U.S. camp was one of disciplined reflection. Reflecting on the team’s performance, Bueckers emphasized that the group is still in the early stages of its journey toward the 2026 World Cup.
“It’s better to win or learn in wins than to learn in losses,” Bueckers said. “So, there’s a lot we need to improve on, a lot we need to clean up. And we’ll watch the film and we’ll get better. Again, this is Day 2, Game 2, and we’re just trying to get better from game to game. Sky’s the limit.”
That focus on the “film room” is a hallmark of Bueckers’ tenure both at UConn and now as a pro in Dallas. With new Wings head coach Jose Fernandez on the Team USA coaching staff as a scout during the qualifiers in San Juan, Bueckers’ ability to analyze the game in real-time is undoubtedly a promising sign for her WNBA franchise.
Beyond the final score, Bueckers was critical of the team’s technical execution.
“Specifically, I think discipline on defense with defending without fouling, rebounding better, taking care of the ball better… I think we turned it over a little bit too much tonight,” she explained. “So we’ll look at the film and I feel like there’s so many areas that we can improve on and we want to build on.”
The U.S. finished the night shooting 51.52% from the field. While the 14 turnovers will likely be a point of emphasis for the coaching staff, the ability to generate 28 assists on 34 made field goals points to a selfless offensive culture.
Looking Ahead
The victory moves the United States to 2-0 in the qualifying window, following their opening-day win over Senegal. The tournament continues through the weekend, with high-stakes matchups against Italy, New Zealand and Spain looming on the horizon.
For Bueckers, the transition to the Senior National Team has looked effortless. After winning WNBA Rookie of the Year honors with the Dallas Wings, she has seamlessly integrated into a roster featuring established Olympic champions. Her +25 plus-minus against Puerto Rico serves as a statistical reminder that while other players may capture more headlines with volume shooting, Bueckers remains the ultimate floor general.
As the team prepares for Saturday’s clash with Italy, the focus remains on the “cleaning up” process Bueckers mentioned. If the United States can marry their defensive intensity with a more consistent 3-point stroke, her “sky’s the limit” prediction may prove to be an understatement.
The road to the 2026 FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup continues, and through two games in San Juan, Paige Bueckers has made it clear that she is ready to be the engine that drives the next generation of American dominance.
For Bueckers, the experience in San Juan transcends the box score. It’s about the intersection of her faith, her platform, and the growth of the game she loves.
“I feel like God has given me this platform, this ability to use my voice for a reason,” Bueckers said. “Basketball is global and it brings people together. It’s a space where people can fall in love with the game and fall in love with players and support, whether they’re from Puerto Rico or from the United States or from overseas anywhere. I think basketball just brings people together, and I think it’s awesome that way.”
