Last month has been a whirlwind month for Paige Bueckers. On April 6, she led the UConn Huskies to their 12th NCAA Women’s Basketball Championship by scoring 17 points in a statement win over South Carolina (82-59).
Her performance proved why she’s one of the most electrifying players in women’s basketball, immediately making her a top prospect for the NBA.
Just days later, Bueckers’ dream came true when the Dallas Wings selected her as the No. 1 overall pick in the 2025 WNBA Draft. Since then, the basketball world has been buzzing: When will Bueckers make her WNBA debut?
Is Paige Bueckers Playing Tonight vs. the Minnesota Lynx?
Initial reports suggested fans would have to wait until May 16, when the Wings open their regular season against the Minnesota Lynx. But now, there’s some exciting news for UConn faithful and Bueckers supporters everywhere—she’s suiting up tonight.
Bueckers will officially make her preseason debut against the Las Vegas Aces on May 2, giving fans an early glimpse of her talents at the professional level.
It’s a major boost for the Wings, who are looking to build momentum heading into the regular season, and also for the league, which continues to grow in popularity thanks to incoming stars like Bueckers.
“It’s just extremely impressive, right? The grace that she’s [handled] everything that’s thrown in her way. And then you get her on the floor, and it just makes the game look easy,” said Wings coach Chris Koclanes about Bueckers (as per Dallas Hoops Journal).
During her final year at UConn, Bueckers put together one of her best performances of her career. She averaged 19.9 points, 4.6 assists, and 4.4 rebounds, which highlighted her ability to lead the team effectively.
Her presence will also be a massive help to Dallas star guard Arike Ogunbowale.
With Bueckers drawing defensive attention and distributing the ball effectively, Ogunbowale will have more freedom to operate and create scoring opportunities.
“I’m trying to come in and earn everybody’s respect through passion, heart, communication, and building that chemistry on and off the court. Just connecting with everybody,” said Bueckers (as per Dallas Hoops Journal).
Tonight’s preseason matchup won’t count in the standings, but for fans and analysts alike, it’s a must-watch. It’s a preview of what’s to come: Bueckers bringing her winning mentality, elite skills, and magnetic energy to the professional game.
Bueckers Praised Aces Star A’ja Wilson Before the Matchup
Bueckers may be entering the WNBA with a winning mentality and sky-high expectations, but the former UConn star is keeping her feet firmly on the ground.
Following a recent practice session, Bueckers took a moment to praise Aces forward A’ja Wilson, one of the league’s most dominant forces.
“One of the best players in the league. In the MVP race every single year, could win it every single year. Just so skilled, you can tell she has such a great work ethic. She gets better every single year she has been in the league. She’s a problem,” Bueckers said during the interview.
Wilson, a three-time MVP, is coming off an exceptional 2024 season where she averaged 26.9 points and 11.9 rebounds per game. With a matchup like this on deck, the preseason game promises to be electric.