Paige Bueckers in Tears After Dallas Wings' Playoff Collapse
The star player struggled emotionally after her team blew a 16-point lead in a Game 3 loss, ending their season.
Dallas Wings star Paige Bueckers was visibly distraught Friday night as her team's season concluded with a 77-73 Game 3 loss to the Golden State Valkyries in the first round of the WNBA playoffs. The Wings squandered a 16-point lead in the second half, leading to an emotional postgame press conference for Bueckers.
The 2025 first-overall pick managed just 17 points on 4-of-14 shooting, along with six assists and one rebound in the pivotal game. Sitting at the press conference table with red eyes, Bueckers struggled to compose herself when asked about the team's progress since the previous season. Teammate Arike Ogunbowale, who scored 30 points in the game, offered comfort mid-answer.
Despite Bueckers' playoff struggles, averaging 16 points per game, Ogunbowale praised her performance throughout the season, calling her a generational talent who carried the team. Bueckers reciprocated the sentiment, acknowledging Ogunbowale's leadership.
"We feed off each other; this is someone I ride for on and off the court," Bueckers said. "Obviously, you saw in the playoffs we wouldn’t be where we are without her."
The seventh-seeded Wings finished the season with a 27-17 record, a significant improvement from their 10-34 record in Bueckers' rookie year. The Valkyries, who had coach Natalie Nakase collapse on the court during the fourth quarter of Game 3, will advance to face the defending champion Aces in the semifinals.