No one in the WNBA or even the NBA has done what Paige Bueckers pulled off back in college. We’re talking about the elite 50-40-90 club. That’s 50% from the field, 40% from deep, and 90% from the line. And just to spice it up, she led the nation in assist-to-turnover ratio too. Not a single player across NCAA hoops or the pros matched that combo. Efficient? That’s basically her middle name. Well, she brought that same “nothing but net” energy right back to the court this week.
After being out since May 29 with a concussion and an illness, Bueckers finally made her return for the Dallas Wings and she made sure to show out. The Wings desperately needed some juice. They were stuck at 1-9, riding a four-game losing streak without her. Still searching for their second win, and honestly, just any sign of life.
“There’s nowhere I’d rather be,” Bueckers said. “Battled some stuff, glad to be back. Excited to keep building, get back on the court.” PB went through it – first the concussion, then falling sick. But maybe that time away helped her reset mentally, because the Paige we saw was locked in. While Dallas still trailed the Mercury 36-42 at halftime, the first quarter had already told us everything we needed to know – Paige was officially BACK.
She came out guns blazing against with 12 points, 3 boards, 2 assists, 1 block, 5-of-5 shooting, 1-of-1 from deep. Yes, 100% from the field and 3-point line. She never missed a beat. We already know that through six games now, she’s averaging 14.7 points and 6.7 assists. With Tyasha Harris out for the season, keeping Bueckers healthy is non-negotiable. She’s the engine of this team right now. But she’s not just trying to dish dimes or put up numbers – she’s out here trying to change things.
Paige Bueckers first quarter:
12 PTS
3 REB
2 AST
1 BLK
5-5 FG
1-1 3PTpic.twitter.com/qi8P7H2iNe
— Underdog WNBA (@UnderdogWNBA) June 12, 2025
“Sometimes I feel like we’re our biggest opponent in terms of stuff that we can do to contribute to winning,” Bueckers said. “So just coming back, having that perspective on how we can change things.” Well, she came back, and she made it loud and clear that she is not out here to play it safe. That was the kind of performance that had fans yelling “ROTY!” all over social media.
Still her crown ? Paige Bueckers’ rosy race to ROTY
The Rookie of the Year race is heating up and one name that just won’t stay out of the conversation is Paige Bueckers. One just casually dropped, “Rookie of the year btw.” Right now, the ROTY talk is down to three frontrunners – Kiki Iriafen, Sonia Citron, and Bueckers herself. Citron’s been on a roll, shooting a smooth 48% from the field and 39% from deep while averaging 13.7 points, 4.3 boards, and 2.2 dimes.
Iriafen has been walking with 14.6 points and 9.4 rebounds. While many see Bueckers as the one trailing, there’s still a large chunk of fans who believe Paige is still the one to beat, no matter what the numbers say. One fan wasn’t having it, writing, “Rookie of the year is HERE,” basically daring Paige to prove them wrong. First of all, to prove ESPN wrong. You know, ESPN was totally Team Bueckers just a few weeks ago. In a May 16 article, five ESPN writers unanimously picked her to win ROTY.
She was fresh off winning a natty with UConn, went No. 1 in the draft, and expectations were sky high. But fast forward to June 9 and suddenly ESPN had a change of heart, now putting their money on Mystics standout Kiki Iriafen. Another fan added, “She’s insane ROTY!” Here’s a stat that’ll blow your mind: through the first three weeks of the WNBA season, only THREE players were ranked in the top 3 of two major statistical categories. A’ja Wilson, Napheesa Collier and Paige Bueckers. Being mentioned in the same breath as those two? Insane.
Then came the classic nickname drop – “Paige Buckets.” Someone had to say it. That’s her nickname and rightfully so. That name came from her UConn days, and not just because it sounds cool. It’s because she gets buckets – three-pointers, mid-range, drives to the rim – efficient, effortless, and elite. And she’s proving all over again in the pros why that nickname stuck.
Another fan got real about the bigger picture, saying, “Paige is being surrounded – her team needs to start helping her out so she can shoot!!” That’s where coaching vision comes in. Chris Koclanes has made it clear since training camp that the offense flows through Paige’s decision-making. But WNBA legend wants PB to push herself and become a true leader of the squad.
May 19, 2025; Arlington, Texas, USA; Dallas Wings guard Paige Bueckers (5) in action during the game between the Dallas Wings and the Seattle Storm at College Park Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images
WNBA legend Lisa Leslie recently said, “You don’t have to wait a year, just because you’re a rookie, to use your voice. I would say to Paige, ‘Hey, show [her Wings teammates] by how you show up, how you shoot, how you stay after practice. But also show them based on what you know needs to happen.’” So here we are. Now the question is: Can Paige Bueckers finally grab the reins and drop performances that silence the doubters and turn the ROTY tide fully in her favor?
We’re not saying it’s done. But the race just got a whole lot rosier.
The post WNBA Fans Cry “ROTY” as Paige Bueckers Stuns with 100% Accuracy After 4-Game Absence for Dallas Wings appeared first on EssentiallySports.
