“I think Dallas needs a lot. Maybe a prayer.” That’s how Meadowlark Media reporter Lucy Rohden summed the Dallas Wings’ outlook just hours before tipoff against the Connecticut Sun. And she wasn’t alone in that sentiment. With a 2–11 record in the Western Conference, it felt like only divine intervention could save the Wings from another crushing defeat.
But those prayers were finally answered. The Dallas Wings stunned everyone as they flipped the script at the Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Connecticut. They put on one of their most commanding first-half performances of the season. A team that had consistently struggled to assert itself in the paint came out with a controlling tempo with precise execution, against the most dominating team in the league and exhausted the Sun’s defenses.
But at the heart of this standout performance was none other than rookie sensation Paige Bueckers. The first overall pick lived up to the hype. Even the announcers couldn’t help but praise her, crowning her with the “mid-range master” title. And while her poise and skill turned heads, Bueckers had something to admit during a post-game interview. The rookie sensation was questioned regarding the Suns’ aggressive defense when the match began.
We are all aware of the Sun’s playmaking style by now, thanks to their showdown against Indiana Fever and Chicago Sky. But how on earth did Bueckers & Co. break free from the tight play during the first half? How did the Wings manage to get past the defenses and rallied ahead?
In the latest interview shared by the Grand Afseth, Bueckers made a 17-second post-game admission.”I think in the first quarter we let them speed us up a little bit,” Paige said. “And we turned it over quite a bit. So, I think taking care of the ball and not letting the team speed us up but get it across half. Get what we want our offence to look like and just take care of the ball better.”
There was a strategic twist behind their success, a secret adjustment by the Wings that gave them the much-needed edge to pull the plug on one of the top-ranked teams in the league. Bueckers & Co. let the opponents set the overall pace in the first quarter, just enough to let the Wings catch the rhythm and speed up the tempo to unmatched frequencies. All of this to rally the team as Arike Ogunbowale and DiJonai Carrington struggled to find their footing.
But Bueckers was sure of one thing. To possess the ball and create jaw-dropping offences- and that’s exactly what the Wings did. All they needed was a strong first half and to concede the same energy into the remaining two quarters. After all, the third quarter is a deciding factor in a team’s victory. Mostly. “We started doing that more in the second half since we got more shots up at the rim,” the rookie added. “Which led to more offensive rebounds and more possessions.”
Despite a two-point head-start in the third quarter, the Wings left no stone unturned in rightfully snatching their second straight win of the season. Bueckers dished 21 points, 2 rebounds, and 7 assists to lead with a comfortable 86–83 win over the Sun. But it was not without her teammates. Aziah James stepped up and shocked with 17 points in the second half as NaLyssa Smith scored 12 points and Li Yueru added 11 points and 9 rebounds to the roster. Even Kaila Charles added 9 points.
A team that was desperately in needed of a prayer, stunned one of the roughest teams in the franchise. And while head coach Chris Koclanes sat in the interview with his head held high, the team finally seems to have found their confidence, thanks to Chinese player, Li Yueru. With a second win against Connecticut Sun and on the brighter side of the rankings, can the Wings continue to display brilliant cohesion, poise and rhythm, or are they in for greater troubles? Guess we’ll have to wait and watch.
The Dallas Wings accept Li Yueru with open arms
“It’s really fun to play with her,” is how Paige Bueckers described the latest player on the Dallas Wings’ roster, Li Yueru. “She is super smart. She has a high IQ, she understands the game.” The Chinese player was openly welcomed by the Dallas Wings after being waived off by the Seattle Storm earlier this year.
credit- IMAGN
“It’s got to be tough coming to a a team halfway through- not halfway but almost halfway through the season yet, and still having a great understanding of how to play with us. So, the chemistry will continue to keep building,” Bueckers added during a post-game interview. Having said that, a player with a demonstrative experience is a huge boost for the roster.
The six-feet-seven center athlete has successfully cemented her spot in the Wings’ locker room. Yueru contributed 11 points, 9 rebounds, and 3 assists against the Connecticut Sun. This leads us to ponder that maybe, she is the missing piece that the Wings had been waiting for. Needless to say, Yueru carries an international experience that can vastly impact the franchise.
Describing her gameplay, Bueckers mentioned, “She plays extremely hard and she’s just fun to be around on and off the court.” And as Li Yueru develops greater bonds in the locker room, can Paige Bueckers & Co. continue a successful run this season? With a new-found momentum, pace, and an athlete, the Dallas Wings march to Washington DC in hopes of continuing the streak.
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