Paige Bueckers, Dallas Wings rookie guard, attempts to shoot the ball during a game against the Phoenix Mercury on Sept. 11 at College Park Center. Bueckers scored 24 points.
The Dallas Wings (10-34) beat the Phoenix Mercury (27-17) 97-76 in their last game of the season Thursday in a sold-out College Park Center.
The Wings went into the game with a ten-game losing streak after the Los Angeles Sparks dealt them their 34th loss this season in their most recent matchup. Even with the team finding double-digit wins, the Wings were not able to ride a win streak this season.
“Lots of close games in that stretch, just could never really get to the finish line. Was excited at home that we threw punches,” head coach Chris Koclanes said.
Aziaha James, Dallas Wings rookie guard, attempts a rebound during a game against the Phoenix Mercury on Sept. 11 at College Park Center. James scored 20 points
Prior to this match-up, the Wings faced the Mercury in back-to-back games in July. Dallas won the first game 98-89 before traveling to Arizona, where they lost 102-72.
While the Wings’ season hasn’t gone as planned, rookie guard Paige Bueckers provided a spotlight for the team by breaking the franchise’s single-season scoring record for a first-year player with 650 accumulated points as of a Sept. 4 game.
“Just a whole bunch of potential, and it showed up in so many different stories this season,” Bueckers said, reflecting on the season. “I feel like there’s so many different things that have captivated what we’ve been through as a team and how much we’ve overcame.”
Dallas Wings guard Haley Jones throws merchandise into the crowd after a game against the Phoenix Mercury on Sept. 11 at College Park Center. The Wings won 97-76.
In the first quarter, the Wings came out reckless with two early fouls by Bueckers, contributing to the team being in an early hole. A late-quarter run from the bench allowed them to shorten the lead, ending the quarter down 28-25.
For the Mercury, forward Satou Sabally came out strong, scoring 11 of her 14 points in the first half and looking unstoppable in the paint.
In the second quarter, the Wings tied the game at 30 for the first time with seven minutes left in the half. Multiple clutch shots from the Wings allowed them to pull away at the end of the half, taking a 57-47 lead.
Paige Bueckers, Dallas Wings rookie guard, cheers after scoring during a game against the Phoenix Mercury on Sept. 11 at College Park Center. It was the Wings’ last game of the 2025 season.
In the third quarter, the Wings opened up the half on an 8-2 run, with multiple steals and rebounds. The Wings outscored the Mercury 25-13 and ended the quarter 82-60.
The Wings’ bench also played a crucial role in the team securing their final win of the season, with players like guard Aziaha James and forward Amy Okonkwo scoring 20 points each. On the defensive side, starting Wings forward Myisha Hines-Allen led in rebounds with 10.
“The season hasn’t been great, but [the fans] stood beside us the whole time, and tonight was their night and we had to give it back to them today,” James said.
Paige Bueckers, Dallas Wings rookie guard, lights up the Dallas Reunion Tower after a win against the Phoenix Mercury on Sept. 11 at College Park Center. Bueckers is a favorite to win the 2025 Rookie of the Year award.
With the team’s delayed relocation to the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center Dallas Memorial Auditorium, the Wings are expected to continue their tenure at College Park Center for the 2026 season, according to previous Shorthorn reporting.
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