In a much-needed shot in the arm for the struggling Dallas Wings, Head Coach Chris Koclanes announced today that star rookie Paige Bueckers is officially “good to go for tomorrow” when the team faces the Phoenix Mercury. This news is a massive relief for a franchise besieged by injuries and a dismal 1-9 start to the 2025 WNBA season.
Paige Bueckers’ Return Can Provide a Boost for Dallas
Bueckers, the highly anticipated first overall pick, has been battling a concussion and recovering from an illness that has limited her impact early in her professional career. However, Koclanes confirmed that she has been “working behind the scenes” to regain strength. Her return couldn’t be more crucial for a Dallas squad desperately seeking a spark.
Wings HC Chris Koclanes says Paige Bueckers is “good to go” and won’t have any minutes restriction tomorrow against the Mercury.#WingsUp pic.twitter.com/VrB1bLHT5f
— Joey Mistretta (@JoeyMistretta_) June 10, 2025
Despite her limited appearances, Bueckers has shown flashes of the brilliance that made her a collegiate sensation. This season, she’s averaged 14.7 points, 4.7 rebounds, and an impressive 6.7 assists per game. Her playmaking ability, in particular, has been sorely missed, as the Wings currently rank 7th in the league in assists per game at 19.1.
Dallas’ team stats paint a grim picture of their current struggles. They are currently sitting at the bottom of the Western Conference with that dismal 1-9 record. Offensively, they are 5th in the league in points per game with 83.4 and are 6th in field goal percentage at 42.4%, not the best nor the worst.
However, their defense has been a significant concern, allowing opponents to score 88.9 points per game, placing them 12th in the league. They also rank near the bottom in defensive rebounding, at 12th in the WNBA.
The return of Paige Bueckers offers a glimmer of hope. Her offensive prowess and exceptional court vision are precisely what the Wings need to inject life into their stagnant offense and improve their overall team cohesion. The Dallas faithful will be eagerly watching to see if their star rookie can indeed be the catalyst for a much-needed turnaround.
The Wings will face an uphill battle to climb the standings. They are in Phoenix tomorrow and face the Las Vegas Aces on the road Friday night.
However, after that quick two-game gauntlet, Dallas plays the Golden State Valkyries, Connecticut Sun, and Washington Mystics, all young teams near the bottom of the standings. Hopefully, Dallas can slowly ramp up Bueckers’ conditioning so she can be at mid-season form when the team needs her the most.