While many fans believed Paige Bueckers’ transition to the WNBA would be far from rough, the season opener served as an unpleasant reminder. After MVP candidate Napheesa Collier led the charge in their 99-84 victory against the Dallas Wings, Paige Bueckers and DiJonai Carrington laid down the path ahead in their post-game presser.
In the first half, Dallas went toe-to-toe with Minnesota, catching up to the Lynx despite their scoring runs. However, a scoring explosion in the third quarter saw Collier drop 18 points, leaving Dallas in the dust. Collier finished with 34 points on the night, spoiling her fellow UConn alum Bueckers’ debut. For coach Chris Koclanes, that run in the third was the turning point of the game. “We looked a little tired in the stretch. I thought, you know, once they got a little bit of distance, you saw us seeded out, and we couldn’t really recover from it.” said the first-year head coach. “And so, the slippage just continued, and we didn’t have enough to really get it back under control.”
While Coach humbly agrees his team’s conditioning faltered in the third, it is also important to note the challenge that was in front of them. The Lynx are a team who are returning from a trip to the finals and boasted the 2nd-best defensive rating in the W last year. Although a win might have been the perfect way to start the season for Koclanes’ side, they can find lessons from this loss that help identify the problems for the system early on. And it was exactly what DiJonai Carrington shed light on in the presser.
“We just have to be more locked in, more focused. We blew a lot of coverages and gave them a lot of open shots. Never too high, never too low. They gave a lot of returners, and we’re still figuring it out.” said Carrington. DiJonai highlighted the lapses in defense that were evident in the third quarter which allowed the Lynx to pull away.
Her comments display the ability to stay even keeled despite the loss, something she shares with Bueckers. When the rookie was asked about her feelings on the performance, she said, “You’ve got to have a starting point, You’ve got to have a foundation to build on. So we don’t want to overreact to the loss, but we also know there’s a lot of things you have to clean up and get better at.”
May 16, 2025; Arlington, Texas, USA; Dallas Wings guard Paige Bueckers (5) reacts against the Minnesota Lynx during the first half at College Park Center. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images
Not only do the Wings need to make adjustments, they need to make them quick as the games come in thick and fast. And with a road trip North looming in the near future, Dallas must make things right fast.
When do the Wings play the Lynx next?
Dallas will be getting another shot at this iron-clad Lynx side on Thursday, May 22, 2025, 5:30 AM GMT+5:30. This time, the action shifts to the Target Center in Minnesota, where the Lynx will look to defend their home court. Looking at how the first game unfolded, it’s hard not to give the edge to the Minnesota Lynx heading into Wednesday’s contest. Napheesa Collier was sensational as expected, dropping 34 points and showcasing exactly why she’s one of the league’s premier talents. Guard Courtney Williams also had a fantastic all-around game with 25 points and 9 assists and highlights their ability to have multiple players step up offensively, making them a tough cover. Couple that with the Wings’ defensive worries, it is doubtful the result goes the other way.
The points that will decide the outcome of this next game will likely hinge on a few key areas. Can the Wings find a way to slow down Napheesa Collier? That’s public enemy #1 for Dallas. They’ll need a collective effort to make her work for every bucket and keeping her off the free-throw line. Collier was perfect from the line against the Wings as she went 8-8 on free throws.
Additionally, the guard matchup between Arike Ogunbowale and the Lynx backcourt will be crucial. Ogunbowale is a dynamic scorer, but if the Lynx guards can pressure her and limit her looks, it will significantly impact the Wings’ offense. While the offense already appeared inefficient in the season opener, if the Lynx manage to contain their biggest scoring threat, the game in Minnesota might end earlier than the one today. Furthermore, rebounding and limiting second-chance opportunities will be vital. Playing against a championship caliber team, the Wings know they cannot afford any let ups if they want to secure a win.
Ultimately, the Minnesota Lynx come into this game with momentum and the home-court advantage. If they can replicate their offensive efficiency and defensive intensity from Friday, particularly in containing Ogunbowale and controlling the glass, they are the clear favorites to win on Wednesday. If the Wings and Koclanes want to even stand a chance, they must flip the script.
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