Bueckers’ Efficient Scoring Numbers Speak for Themselves
Finishing fifth in points per game with 20.9, Bueckers established herself as one of the WNBA’s most consistent offensive threats. Her ability to score at all three levels sets her apart from many guards across the league.
The remarkable scoring output was backed by impressive shooting percentages. She converted 51.2% of her shots from the field, 41% beyond the arc, and 87.1% from the free-throw line. Her field goal percentage surpassed all three guards selected for the All-WNBA First Team.
Bueckers’ scoring ability extended beyond her efficiency as she consistently delivered for the Wings in crucial moments. Elite players know when to raise their level of play; she did exactly that throughout the season. Bueckers finished third in the league in fourth-quarter points, showing her ability to deliver when it mattered most.
Bueckers Led the Biggest Turnaround in WNBA History
As the leading scorer for Dallas, Bueckers led her team from the bottom of the standings to being a playoff contender. The Wings won 27 game compared to just 10 in the previous season. Her consistent scoring was a huge factor in how they managed such a large turnaround.
Bueckers came up clutch at the end of games numerous times, most notably so in a late comeback win against the Seattle Storm. Scoring 17 of the team’s last 24 points, she proved herself to be a player that can be relied upon in the big moments, a quality worthy of making the All-WNBA First Team.
Her ability to come up clutch gave the Wings the crucial wins they needed to reach the playoffs for the first time since 2023.
Paige’s Playmaking Goes Under the Radar
Alongside leading the Wings in scoring, Bueckers was also their top playmaker. She ranked among the league’s top 10 in assists per game while keeping her turnovers to a minimum.
As the main point guard, she proved herself to be a composed ball handler with a 2.7 assist-to-turnover ratio. In this statistic, she outperformed every player on the first team. Only two players ended the season top 10 in points per game, assists per game, and assist-to-turnover ratio. Those players were Paige Bueckers and Jackie Young; both were selected for the second team.
Bueckers’ playmaking gave her an option to provide for her teammates and get them involved, making the Dallas offense less predictable. This allowed her to impact the game beyond just scoring.
Her Teammates Shared Their Outrage
In their post-game interview after the Wings’ first round playoff exit, Arike Ogunbowale was praising Bueckers saying “We got Paige a generational player, she willed us throughout the whole season, should be first team All-WNBA, if not I feel like that sh*t’s rigged.”
Teammate Alanna Smith also made a comment on the selection via her Instagram story. She reposted the announcement of the second team with the comment: “So cool but we’re all thinking the same thing…”
It once again seems that Paige Bueckers’ performance throughout the season was overlooked by the voters. Despite ranking among the league’s top scorers and best playmakers, her achievements were not enough to secure an All-WNBA First Team selection.
Nevertheless, Bueckers’ sophomore season was not one to forget as she further established herself as one of the league’s best young talents. She has the potential to be a defining player in the WNBA for many years to come.
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