Paige Bueckers, Maddy Siegrist Shine In Dallas Wings Loss

Paige Bueckers (No. 5) and Maddy Siegrist (No. 20) catalyzed the Dallas Wings with a late-game charge against the Seattle Storm at College Park Center. (Photo: Dylan Nadwodny | The Podium Finish)

ARLINGTON, Texas — Rookie guard Paige Bueckers and third-year forward Maddy Siegrist offered bright spots for the Dallas Wings on Monday night, as a second-half rally fell short in a 79–71 loss to the Seattle Storm in the team’s second home game at College Park Center.

In just her second WNBA game, Bueckers played beyond her years, finishing with 19 points, eight assists, five rebounds, two steals and a block. Siegrist added 12 points off the bench, contributing on both ends and igniting the Wings’ third-quarter surge with her trademark hustle and versatility.

The loss drops Dallas to 0–2 on the young season, but head coach Chris Koclanes saw encouraging signs from his young core — particularly in the second half, when the Wings clamped down defensively and outscored Seattle 30–23.

Paige Bueckers (No. 5) found her rhythm and confidence at the point for the Dallas Wings. (Photo: Dylan Nadwodny | The Podium Finish)

“We’re learning. We’re growing,” Bueckers said postgame. “We’re all learning as a team and growing as a team. It’s not about a specific duo or trio. We’re focused on one through 12 and how we look as a team. We just need more reps — in games and in practice — and that’ll help us keep improving.”

Seattle (1–1) was paced by veteran forward Nneka Ogwumike, who turned in a dominant double-double with 23 points and 18 rebounds. Guard Skylar Diggins poured in 21 points and dished out nine assists in her return to North Texas, and Gabby Williams added 17 points and five boards. The trio combined for 61 of Seattle’s 79 points, keeping Dallas at bay when momentum began to swing.

The Wings led 26–25 after a fast-paced first quarter, showing improved ball movement and transition offense following Friday night’s season-opening loss at home against the Minnesota Lynx. Bueckers had six assists by halftime and looked comfortable orchestrating from the top of the key.

But Seattle’s defense stiffened in the second quarter, and the Storm offense found another gear. Ogwumike and Diggins combined for 23 of Seattle’s 31 points in the frame as the visitors used a 31–15 run to seize control. The Wings went cold from the field, struggled on the boards, and entered the locker room trailing 56–41.

“It’s hard when you give up a 30-point quarter,” Koclanes said. “You’re taking the ball out of the hoop the whole time. So now you’ve got to really execute in the half court. The more you can get stops, now you can get out and run in the open floor.”

Dallas Wings Head Coach Chris Koclanes challenged his players to elevate their level ahead of Monday’s night game. (Photo: Dylan Nadwodny | The Podium Finish)

Rather than make sweeping changes at halftime, Koclanes issued a challenge to his team — bring more energy and accountability.

“Just challenged them to get with each other and find a different level,” he said. “Because if we’re going to compete night in and night out in this league, it’s going to take a level of hard work and effort that we have within us but hasn’t been demanded of us consistently all the time.”

Dallas responded with its most inspired stretch of basketball this season, holding Seattle to just 10 points in the third quarter. Bueckers took command, attacking early in the shot clock and finding cutters in stride. Her pick-and-pop chemistry with Siegrist stood out as they repeatedly found ways to beat Seattle’s rotations.

“Maddy is extremely easy to play with,” Bueckers said. “She’s very smart. A lot of our two-man action worked really well. She can shoot from all three levels, and she’s always a threat on the floor.”

Siegrist, who won the Athletes Unlimited individual championship during the offseason, was equally complimentary of her backcourt teammate. The Villanova sensation, an alumnae of the Big East Conference, observed the duo’s emerging chemistry.

Maddy Siegrist (No. 20) of the Dallas Wings provided some much needed hustle and energy to nearly lead a comeback in front of the hometown fans. (Photo: Dylan Nadwodny | The Podium Finish)

“We’re just continuing to grow on the court,” Siegrist said. “We were familiar with each other in college, playing against each other in the Big East. It’s a lot better playing with each other. We both came from systems that ran a five-out, so it’s cool to be able to play together. That two-man game was working tonight, and we’ll keep building on that.”

Dallas cut the deficit to three midway through the fourth, firing up the home crowd and prompting a timeout from Storm head coach Noelle Quinn. Dallas strung together multiple stops and pushed the tempo, but could not capitalize on a handful of open looks from deep. The Wings shot just 4-of-19 (21.1%) from beyond the arc and 37% overall.

Arike Ogunbowale, the team’s leading scorer last season, was limited to eight points on 2-of-14 shooting. Seattle’s length and physicality disrupted her rhythm and denied her clean catch-and-shoot opportunities. NaLyssa Smith added 12 points and four rebounds for Dallas, while center Teaira McCowan posted 10 points and nine boards in a tough battle against Ogwumike.

The Wings’ defense was far more connected after halftime, forcing seven Storm turnovers in the third quarter and limiting second-chance points. Bueckers and Siegrist repeatedly dove for loose balls and sprinted back in transition — details that did not go unnoticed by Koclanes or the home crowd.

“I think we saw that in the second half — being down 15 at halftime and then getting it all the way to three,” Siegrist said. “The game’s never over. If you play hard like that, a lot of times good things happen.”

Despite the tough outcome, the Wings’ locker room remains encouraged by the early signs of cohesion and grit, led by a rookie who already looks like a franchise pillar and a third-year forward ready to take another leap.

Next Stop

The Wings now turn their focus to a Wednesday night matchup with the Minnesota Lynx at Target Center. This game will mark a homecoming for Bueckers, a Minnesota native, along with a rematch against fellow UConn alum Napheesa Collier.

Seattle Storm: By the Numbers

Gabby Williams (No. 5) of the Seattle Storm tallied 17 points in over 39 minutes of play against the Dallas Wings. (Photo: Dylan Nadwodny | The Podium Finish)

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Dallas Wings: By the Numbers

NaLyssa Smith (No. 1) of the Dallas Wings scored 12 points, attacking the paint efficiently. (Photo: Dylan Nadwodny | The Podium Finish)

Starters

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