The new rookie in town, Paige Bueckers, is stealing the limelight ever since she stepped foot on the court. She climbs the ladder, remaining undefeated at the Mohegan Sun Arena, as the Wings secured an 86-83 victory over the Connecticut Sun.
The former UConn sensation grabbed 21 points (16 in just the first half), seven assists, and two steals on 43.8% shooting from the field. She fought to help Dallas win back-to-back for the first time this season. But this victory came with a sprinkling of her very first technical foul.
Paige Bueckers’ Passionate Reaction Draws Referees’ Ire
As Bueckers moved ahead in Dallas’ cause, she attempted a midrange jump shot along the baseline. She managed to knock it down, turning her attention straight to the referees. Suddenly, she yelled and clapped as she looked on, with announcers saying that she was expecting an “and one”.
Of course, the referees weren’t big fans of whatever transpired and blew the whistle to stop the game temporarily. The officiating turned around and handed Bueckers her career’s first-ever technical foul, a $200 fine. While $200 doesn’t seem too much for a player at this stature, if she continues to get more, she will eventually attract a bigger amount as a fine and a possible suspension.
In the WNBA, when a player gets their first three technical fouls, every single one of them carries the $200 weight. When they are called for their fourth, fifth or sixth foul, they will be compelled to pay a $400 fine. Receiving the seventh fine gets tough. It will bind them to pay $800 and a one-game suspension.
After the game, she addressed the media and explained her stance. “I clapped twice, and I said ‘and one’, and he said I clapped in his face. That’s all.”
Paige Bueckers gets her first career tech in the WNBA. pic.twitter.com/960EcpfuF2
— The Sporting News (@sportingnews) June 21, 2025
Dallas Wings drafted Bueckers as the No. 1 overall pick in the 2025 draft. After spending four sensational years at UConn, Bueckers came as a breath of fresh air and talent in the league, immediately becoming a major contributor to the team.
While she’s definitely seen her fair share of setbacks and has even been placed on concussion protocol, dealt with illnesses, and more, she’s proven time and again why she is the ultimate star.
In her first season with the Wings, she’s averaging 17.7 points, 4.4 rebounds, and 5.7 assists, leading her team in scoring and assists.
As for the Wings, they met with 10 different lead changes and 8 tie scores just in the first half. But they emerged stronger in the second half, all thanks to Bueckers and Aziaha James.
James put up a 6-0 run, solo, along with an incredible steal from Bueckers off an inbound pass. Fouls and other difficulties throughout the game did not help. The Sun went straight to drive Dallas to the line at least 30 times. Dallas easily made 24 of them.
At the same time, the Wings were tackled down on the boards, 42-29. And just like that, the Sun faced their fifth straight loss so far, dropping to a 2-11 record. It is one of the worst records in 13 years of the franchise.
As Bueckers finds her rhythm, she remains undefeated in Connecticut (17-0), making historical moves every time she is on the court.
