{"id":219761,"date":"2025-09-12T02:46:26","date_gmt":"2025-09-12T02:46:26","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/219761\/"},"modified":"2025-09-12T02:46:26","modified_gmt":"2025-09-12T02:46:26","slug":"paige-bueckers-dallas-wings-close-2025-season-on-a-high-note-with-big-win-against-mercury","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/219761\/","title":{"rendered":"Paige Bueckers, Dallas Wings close 2025 season on a high note with big win against Mercury"},"content":{"rendered":"<p class=\"body-text-paragraph\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.dallasnews.com\/sports\/wings\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" title=\"https:\/\/www.dallasnews.com\/sports\/wings\/\">Dallas Wings<\/a> fans seemed just as excited on Thursday night at College Park Center as they were the day <a href=\"https:\/\/www.dallasnews.com\/topic\/paige-bueckers\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" title=\"https:\/\/www.dallasnews.com\/topic\/paige-bueckers\/\">Paige Bueckers<\/a> was drafted to the team No. 1 overall in April.<\/p>\n<p class=\"body-text-paragraph\">A lot has happened since that pivotal day in Wings franchise history, including a barrage of injuries and roster transactions that contributed to Dallas\u2019 less than optimal record and elimination from the 2025 playoffs. But zealous supporters still showed up for the Wings\u2019 regular season finale, an announced sell out against the Phoenix Mercury (27-17) that culminated in a 97-76 win.<\/p>\n<p class=\"body-text-paragraph\">Bueckers, who moved to third place all-time for a WNBA rookie in scoring and assists, recorded a game-high 24 points on 10-of-18 shooting. The 23-year old phenom also posted eight rebounds, seven assists, two blocks and a steal in the win. <\/p>\n<p>Related<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" style=\"aspect-ratio:190 \/ 127\" class=\"dmnc_features-article-body-embeds-related-story-module__2UraD flex-none object-cover dmnc_images-modern-image-module__QFaG- max-w-full h-auto text-white dmnc_images-modern-image-module__9Zlll bg-gray-light object-contain dmnc_images-modern-image-module__P3kZ4 w-full\" width=\"190\" height=\"127\" src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/1757645182_868_PF53OEBJ6NHTZLETTL3FTM6LQM.jpg\" alt=\"Dallas Wings guard Paige Bueckers (5) gets a high-five before an WNBA basketball game...\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Sports Roundup<\/p>\n<p class=\"dmnc_features-cta-social-article-cta-social-module__3beff secondaryRoman secondaryRoman-20 text-center text-gray-dark\">Get the latest D-FW sports news, analysis and opinion delivered straight to your inbox. Plus, Kevin Sherrington&#8217;s A La Carte.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dmnc_features-cta-social-article-cta-social-module__8MgJa flex flex-wrap text-gray-dark secondaryRoman secondaryRoman-10 text-center justify-center\">By signing up, you agree to our\u00a0<a class=\"dmnc_features-cta-social-article-cta-social-module__lU9-l border-b border-gray-dark hover_border-0 focus_border-0 active_border-0\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dallasnews.com\/help\/terms-of-service\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Terms of Service<\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0<a class=\"dmnc_features-cta-social-article-cta-social-module__lU9-l border-b border-gray-dark hover_border-0 focus_border-0 active_border-0\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dallasnews.com\/help\/privacy-policy\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Privacy Policy.<\/a><\/p>\n<p class=\"body-text-paragraph\">Amy Okonkwo, shooting 8-of-13 from the floor, and Aziaha James, who finished 9-of-17 from the field, added 20 points of their own. Okonkwo contributed four rebounds and James had nine.<\/p>\n<p class=\"body-text-paragraph\">The Wings (10-34) achieved double digit victories a year after finishing 9-31 and snapped a 10-game losing streak to close out 2025 on a high note. It was an ending perfect for fan appreciation night.<\/p>\n<p class=\"body-text-paragraph\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.dallasnews.com\/business\/2025\/09\/11\/dallas-wings-ceo-greg-bibb-talks-the-organizations-soaring-financial-success\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" title=\"https:\/\/www.dallasnews.com\/business\/2025\/09\/11\/dallas-wings-ceo-greg-bibb-talks-the-organizations-soaring-financial-success\/\">Wings CEO and managing partner Greg Bibb<\/a> told The Dallas Morning News before the game that the team has the best fans in the WNBA.<\/p>\n<p>Related<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" style=\"aspect-ratio:190 \/ 127\" class=\"dmnc_features-article-body-embeds-related-story-module__2UraD flex-none object-cover dmnc_images-modern-image-module__QFaG- max-w-full h-auto text-white dmnc_images-modern-image-module__9Zlll bg-gray-light object-contain dmnc_images-modern-image-module__P3kZ4 w-full\" width=\"190\" height=\"127\" src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/UTDVKYFORJCP7GTO63SGNI2KMM.jpg\" alt=\"Dallas Wings guard Paige Bueckers is presented with a ball commemorating her being voted a...\"\/><\/p>\n<p class=\"body-text-paragraph\">The team also has Bueckers, who is widely thought to be the Rookie of the Year frontrunner. Bueckers, who recently picked up <a href=\"https:\/\/www.dallasnews.com\/sports\/wings\/2025\/09\/03\/paige-bueckers-named-wnba-rookie-of-the-month-for-third-straight-time\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" title=\"https:\/\/www.dallasnews.com\/sports\/wings\/2025\/09\/03\/paige-bueckers-named-wnba-rookie-of-the-month-for-third-straight-time\/\">her third straight Rookie of the Month honor<\/a> and was named an WNBA All-Star game starter this summer, was averaging 19.1 points, 5.3 assists and 3.8 rebounds ahead of Thursday\u2019s game.<\/p>\n<p class=\"body-text-paragraph\">Dallas, campaigning for its star rookie to win the prestigious league award, provided fans with shirts that read \u201cWhy slow down?\u201d across the front. On the back was \u201c 5 for Rookie of the Year.\u201d<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" style=\"aspect-ratio:4096 \/ 2730\"   class=\"dmnc_images-modern-image-module__QFaG- max-w-full h-auto text-white dmnc_images-modern-image-module__9Zlll bg-gray-light object-contain\" width=\"4096\" height=\"2730\" src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/6RSTNFUI4RF3POKFMICO5JXLKU.jpg\" alt=\"Shirts campaigning for Dallas Wings guard Paige Bueckers to win WNBA Rookie of the Year...\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Shirts campaigning for Dallas Wings guard Paige Bueckers to win WNBA Rookie of the Year before a basketball game against the Phoenix Mercury, Thursday, Sept. 11, 2025, in Arlington.<\/p>\n<p>El\u00edas Valverde II \/ Staff Photographer<\/p>\n<p class=\"body-text-paragraph\">Wings leadership and fans honored Bueckers before the game for recently breaking the franchise\u2019s rookie scoring record. She also holds the franchise\u2019s rookie assists record.<\/p>\n<p class=\"body-text-paragraph\">It was Bueckers who kickstarted a pivotal Dallas run late in the first.<\/p>\n<p class=\"body-text-paragraph\">Dallas trailed Phoenix 20-6 with just under four minutes remaining in the first quarter, but went on a 19-8 run to close the opening period after Bueckers hit a three at the 3:49 mark. The Wings outscored the Mercury 32-19 in the second quarter to take a 57-47 halftime lead. Dallas outscored Phoenix 40-29 in the second half for its final win of the season.<\/p>\n<p>Season finale: See photos from the Dallas Wings&#8217; final game of the year vs. the Phoenix Mercury<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" style=\"aspect-ratio:3836 \/ 2557\"   class=\"dmnc_generic-gallery-swiper-module__Kyr7i w-full h-full object-cover absolute left-1\/2 dmnc_images-modern-image-module__QFaG- max-w-full h-auto text-white dmnc_images-modern-image-module__9Zlll bg-gray-light object-contain dmnc_images-modern-image-module__P3kZ4 w-full\" width=\"3836\" height=\"2557\" src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/CX2FZFTNGZAP7FKMXP7WYM4PN4.jpg\" alt=\"Dallas Wings general manager Curt Miller (left) and CEO Greg Bibb (right) applaud guard...\"\/>View Gallery<a class=\"dmnc_features-article-body-embeds-subject-tag-list-with-images-list-with-images-module__P4zn3 inline-block pr-8 shrink-0 w-auto flex flex-col\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dallasnews.com\/business\/2025\/09\/11\/dallas-wings-ceo-greg-bibb-talks-the-organizations-soaring-financial-success\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" style=\"aspect-ratio:190 \/ 127\" class=\"dmnc_features-article-body-embeds-subject-tag-list-with-images-list-with-images-module__6H-hI dmnc_images-modern-image-module__QFaG- max-w-full h-auto text-white dmnc_images-modern-image-module__9Zlll bg-gray-light object-contain\" width=\"190\" height=\"127\" src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/UTDVKYFORJCP7GTO63SGNI2KMM.jpg\" alt=\"Dallas Wings guard Paige Bueckers is presented with a ball commemorating her being voted a...\"\/><\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/www.dallasnews.com\/business\/2025\/09\/11\/dallas-wings-ceo-greg-bibb-talks-the-organizations-soaring-financial-success\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Dallas Wings CEO Greg Bibb talks the organization\u2019s soaring financial success<\/a><\/p>\n<p>The Wings are currently valued at $250 million and boast high-profile players like Arike Ogunbowale and Paige Bueckers.<\/p>\n<p><a class=\"dmnc_features-article-body-embeds-subject-tag-list-with-images-list-with-images-module__P4zn3 inline-block pr-8 shrink-0 w-auto flex flex-col\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dallasnews.com\/sports\/wings\/2025\/09\/10\/wings-2025-has-not-gone-to-plan-but-dallas-has-built-locker-room-chemistry-to-last\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" style=\"aspect-ratio:190 \/ 127\" class=\"dmnc_features-article-body-embeds-subject-tag-list-with-images-list-with-images-module__6H-hI dmnc_images-modern-image-module__QFaG- max-w-full h-auto text-white dmnc_images-modern-image-module__9Zlll bg-gray-light object-contain\" width=\"190\" height=\"127\" src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/1757645186_967_46W64SDXXFCFBBFI5ZVNRPJOHA.jpg\" alt=\"Dallas Wings guard Paige Bueckers (5), guard Aziaha James (10), center Li Yueru and guard...\"\/><\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/www.dallasnews.com\/sports\/wings\/2025\/09\/10\/wings-2025-has-not-gone-to-plan-but-dallas-has-built-locker-room-chemistry-to-last\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Wings\u2019 2025 has not gone to plan, but Dallas has built locker room chemistry to last<\/a><\/p>\n<p>The Wings\u2019 on-court results have not been what was expected in year one of the Paige Bueckers era, but the team\u2019s off-court growth could prove crucial in the future.<\/p>\n<p class=\"body-text-paragraph\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.dallasnews.com\/sports\/wings\/\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\"><b>Find more Wings coverage from <\/b><b>The Dallas Morning News<\/b><b> here<\/b><\/a>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Dallas Wings fans seemed just as excited on Thursday night at College Park Center as they were the&hellip;\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":219762,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[5135],"tags":[5229,2339,10478,1596,2470,2471,62,358,3187,67,586,132,5230,68,2969,14378,232],"class_list":{"0":"post-219761","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-dallas","8":"tag-america","9":"tag-arike-ogunbowale","10":"tag-chris-koclanes","11":"tag-dallas","12":"tag-dallas-wings","13":"tag-paige-bueckers","14":"tag-sports","15":"tag-texas","16":"tag-tx","17":"tag-united-states","18":"tag-united-states-of-america","19":"tag-unitedstates","20":"tag-unitedstatesofamerica","21":"tag-us","22":"tag-usa","23":"tag-wings","24":"tag-wnba"},"share_on_mastodon":{"url":"https:\/\/pubeurope.com\/@us\/115189041413574362","error":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/219761","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=219761"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/219761\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/219762"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=219761"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=219761"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=219761"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}