Paige Bueckers entered Monday’s matchup with the Golden State Valkyries looking to steady the Dallas Wings amid a rough stretch. Instead, the star guard endured a night that could mark a significant blemish on her MVP bid.
Bueckers still finished with 21 points, 2 rebounds, 3 assists, and 1 steal in Dallas’ 78-70 road loss. But her 7 turnovers stood out, setting a new career high and giving the WNBA community plenty to debate about her place among this season’s MVP contenders.
Paige Bueckers Under Fire As 7 Turnovers in Wings’ Loss Without Azzi Fudd Raise Major Questions
The turnover problem is becoming an increasingly uncomfortable theme for Bueckers.
A little over a week ago, she set a then-career-high with 6 turnovers during Dallas’ 103-90 loss to the Minnesota Lynx. Against Golden State, which owns the WNBA’s best defense this season, Bueckers struggled again.
She shot 8-for-18 and went just 1-for-5 from 3-point range. The 2025 Rookie of the Year was particularly shaky early, committing 3 turnovers while making only 1 of 7 shots in the opening half.
The latest uneven performance came at a difficult time for Dallas. The Wings fell to 20-16 and dropped to 1-5 this season without rookie Azzi Fudd, whose sore right knee has sidelined one of the team’s most dangerous shooting threats.
That combination has put even more pressure on Bueckers, and the scrutiny was immediate.
“After this game, Paige Bueckers has officially eliminated herself from MVP contention. Better luck next year! Good luck to all the candidates still enrolled,” podcaster Jaime Lardis wrote.
After this game, Paige Bueckers has officially eliminated herself from MVP contention. Better luck next year! Good luck to all the candidates still enrolled. https://t.co/GJ8kXsgDhF
— Jaime Lardis (@JaimeLardis) August 18, 2026
“When real defense hit Paige Bueckers, you see what she is.”
When real defense hit Paige Bueckers, you see what she is. Valkyries are great! Playoffs will show if they’re a regular season team or real contenders.
— Jaime Lardis (@JaimeLardis) August 18, 2026
“The media will continuously push Paige Bueckers as if she’s on the same level with Caitlin Clark, but her numbers have never been remotely close to them. … She has five turnovers and 11 points going into the fourth quarter, but they still will say she’s in the MVP running, but they will refuse to mention Caitlin Clark,” a WNBA observer noted.
The media will continuously push Paige Bueckers as if she’s on the same level with Caitlin Clark but her numbers have never been remotely close to them. Like right now she’s playing against the Valkyrie and she’s struggling she has five turnovers 11 points going into the fourth…
— Jason (@letstalkksports) August 18, 2026
“Paige Bueckers still 1st Team All-WNBA? Another bad night for Paige,” a Caitlin Clark supporter added.
Paige Bueckers still 1st Team All WNBA?
Another bad night for Paige.
— HeHateMe (@_HeHateMee_) August 18, 2026
“Tonight is the third game since the All-Star break in which Paige Bueckers has had 5+ turnovers. Only one such game in her career prior to the break (June 9, 2026 at Minnesota),” a Wings journalist tweeted.
Tonight is the third game since the all-star break in which Paige Bueckers has had 5+ turnovers.
Only one such game in her career prior to the break (June 9, 2026 at Minnesota).
— Drake (@DrakeKeeler) August 18, 2026
“Paige Bueckers with another DISASTERCLASS,” a Raven Johnson supporter reacted.
Paige Bueckers with another DISASTERCLASS ✨
Once again she has more TOs than FGs made in the first half.
1-7 FG (14%)
3 TO
-15 pic.twitter.com/N6Mn2dWP9B— CANY (@rntCANELA) August 18, 2026
Bueckers’ MVP stock was at its highest during the first three weeks of July, when Dallas won six straight games and improved to 17-8 after a 90-82 victory over the Los Angeles Sparks. Since then, the Wings have gone just 3-8.
Fudd’s absence has made that slide even tougher. Without her shooting threat stretching defenses, opponents can devote more attention to Bueckers, forcing her to create increasingly difficult looks.
Dallas still holds a 4.5-game cushion over the Portland Fire (15-20) for the league’s final playoff spot, so the postseason remains well within reach. But the margin for error is shrinking, and so is the room for Bueckers to have off nights like Monday.
The MVP conversation is far from over, but Bueckers now has something to prove. If she can clean up her turnovers, lift Dallas out of its slump, and navigate life without Fudd, the criticism should fade quickly.
If the slide continues, however, Monday’s 7-turnover disaster could look less like a bad night and more like the moment her MVP case truly began to unravel.
