Paige Bueckers is back at Mohegan Sun Arena for the first time since winning the Big East title in March. This time, as a rookie with the Dallas Wings, looking for her first win in the WNBA.
The Wings are 0-4 to start the 2025 season and face the Connecticut Sun, who are also 0-4, on Tuesday at 7 p.m. ET.
Wings Rookie Paige Bueckers Leads Team in Multiple Categories Through Four Games
There’s something about Mohegan Sun that brings out the best in Paige Bueckers. Across five seasons at UConn, she never lost a game there, 15-0, and helped the Huskies claim four Big East titles on that floor. The last time she played in this arena, she dropped 24 points on Creighton in the conference final. It’s more than just a court. It’s familiar ground.
“It’s definitely different,” Bueckers said. “It’ll be weird stepping on the court, I think, not in a UConn uniform, but it’ll be something that I’ll enjoy with a new experience and a new team and new organization. I feel like Mohegan is like my second home to Gampel,” she said. “So it’s great to be back.”
“I had some great moments here at Mohegan,” Bueckers remarked. “I don’t know if we lost here in my UConn career. So we’re trying to carry those vibes over… just approach it with a winning mentality.”
“We want to win, that’s the main goal right now,” she said. “You look at your individual performances, but we’re trying to put it together as a team. Learn from the past and have it motivate you to be better.”
She will take the floor Tuesday night in a building where she never lost as a college player. Now, she is trying to carry that energy into her first win as a professional.
Paige Bueckers becomes the fastest guard to record 50 PTS & 25 AST since Sue Bird. pic.twitter.com/CEKkJa5SRm
— Real Sports (@realapp_) May 24, 2025
Now in her first pro season, Bueckers hasn’t missed a beat. Through four games, she’s leading the Wings in scoring (13.0), assists (6.3), and steals (1.8), while pulling down 4.5 rebounds a night. She’s also among the league’s best in assist-to-turnover ratio (3.13) and steals, already carving out her place
Paige Bueckers made history last week in Minneapolis, recording 12 points and 10 assists against the Minnesota Lynx. She became just the third WNBA player to post a double-double in points and assists within her first three games, joining Shoni Schimmel and Suzie McConnell.
“We’re not setting expectations for ourselves,” Bueckers said. “Setting expectations limits you in what you can accomplish. We’re just trying to grow in the film room, grow in the weight room, grow on the court, and grow with our chemistry.”
Bueckers is shooting 34.0% from the field and 33.3% from beyond the arc. While her efficiency is down compared to college, her decision-making has translated. She continues to share the backcourt with Arike Ogunbowale and Tyasha Harris, contributing heavily to ball movement and spacing.
Matchup Against Connecticut Sun Offers a Familiar Setting and a Needed Opportunity
The Connecticut Sun have also struggled to open the season. Under new head coach Rachid Meziane, the team is 0-4 after consecutive road losses to the Minnesota Lynx and Atlanta Dream.
Tuesday night’s matchup will be Connecticut’s first home game since opening day.
Lining up on the other side is former UConn teammate Olivia Nelson-Ododa, now holding it down in the paint for the Sun.
The two shared the court from 2020 to 2022. “I know she’s going to try to block one of my shots,” Bueckers said with a smile. “She’s playing extremely great with the new role that she has, and I’m super proud of her.”
The Wings underwent a rebuild this offseason, bringing in head coach Chris Koclanes and general manager Curt Miller. The roster features four rookies and only three returners from 2024. Eight players, including Bueckers, have played in a Final Four. Four have won NCAA championships.
