The Dallas Wings are beginning to find their groove, and much of that spark is due to the return of their rookie phenom, Paige Bueckers.
With back-to-back wins, including a key 86-83 victory over the Connecticut Sun on June 20, the Wings are showing signs of resurgence. The spotlight is firmly on Bueckers, who scored 21 points in the most recent win.
After the game, Wings head coach Chris Koclanes had high praise for the young star, giving her well-deserved credit for the way she has bounced back since returning from injury.
HC Chris Koclanes Had Nothing but Praise for Paige Bueckers
In the postgame interview following the June 20 win, Koclanes took a moment to commend Bueckers’ resilience and performance.
“Just her aggressiveness and her offense to want to command out there and off the floor as well. Just really everyday watching her coming into her own more and more with her comfortability with her teammates,” said Koclanes, as per Joey Mistretta.
Chris Koclanes on what he has seen from Paige Bueckers since she returned from injury/illness: “Just her aggressiveness and her offense to want to command out there and off the floor as well. Just really everyday watching her coming into her own more and more with her…
— Joey Mistretta (@JoeyMistretta_) June 20, 2025
It hasn’t been an easy ride for Bueckers. The rookie guard suffered a concussion on May 29 during a game against the Chicago Sky after a hard collision with veteran guard Courtney Vandersloot. The injury sidelined her for four straight games, a stretch during which Dallas struggled significantly, dropping all four contests without their rising star in the lineup.
Since rejoining the squad, she’s looked like a completely different player. Prior to her injury, Bueckers was averaging 14.7 points per game on 43.7% shooting, including 33.3% from beyond the arc.
Since her return she’s putting up 23.0 points per game while shooting 50% from the field. She’s also averaging 4.5 assists and 3.5 rebounds per game, showing her full impact across the board.
It’s not just the numbers that tell the story.
Bueckers has already etched her name into the league’s rookie record books. On June 11, according to Polymarket Hoops, she became the fourth-fastest rookie in WNBA history to reach at least 100 points, 25 rebounds and 25 assists. The only players to reach those milestones quicker are Caitlin Clark, Candace Parker and Cynthia Cooper.
As for the game on June 20, the Wings controlled the tempo early. They entered halftime with a slim two-point advantage but turned on the jets in the second half, scoring 44 points that the Sun couldn’t recover from.
Now riding a two-game win streak, the Dallas Wings look to keep the momentum going as they prepare to face the Washington Mystics on June 22.
