Bueckers' Historic Night Leads Wings Past Storm

Paige Bueckers delivered another standout performance as the Dallas Wings defeated the Seattle Storm 92-70 on Sunday, tying the franchise's single-season wins record. Bueckers scored 18 of her 32 points in the first quarter, hitting seven of her eight shot attempts, including all four 3-pointers. The Associated Press reported that Bueckers was "unstoppable" in the opening period, as the Wings outscored the Storm 34-17.

The win improved the Wings' record to 22-16, and they can clinch a playoff spot with a home victory against the Portland Fire on Tuesday. As reported by multiple outlets, Bueckers was pulled from the game after the third quarter by head coach Jose Fernandez, with one source stating that she played just 26 minutes. According to ESPN Analytics, as cited by Essentially Sports, Bueckers became the first player since the WNBA introduced quarters in 2006 to score 32 points without playing a minute in the fourth quarter. Additionally, she went 6-for-6 from beyond the arc, tying a WNBA record for the most three-pointers made in a game without a miss, a feat shared with players such as Maya Moore, Cynthia Cooper, Tamika Catchings, Kristi Toliver, and Stefanie Dolson.

Jessica Shepard also contributed 11 points and 11 rebounds, as reported by the Associated Press. The Wings' efficient shooting helped clamp the game: they made 33 of 66 field goals, shot 48% from three-point range, and hit 15 of 17 free throws.

Storm's Struggles Continue

The Seattle Storm have lost three straight and 14 of their last 15 games and are 7-31. Despite a second-quarter push that saw Seattle score the final 14 points of the half, holding Dallas without a point for the final four-plus minutes, the Storm still trailed 56-35 at halftime. The Storm were led by Flau'jae Johnson, who tied her career-high with five three-pointers and finished with 23 points. Jade Melbourne added 15 points, and Dominique Malonga scored 12. Seattle's Natisha Hiedeman missed the game with a shoulder injury, while Dallas's Azzi Fudd (knee) and Aziaha James (leg) did not play.

The Storm next host Toronto on Wednesday, while the Wings host Portland on Tuesday.

Assists Record Highlights Busy Week

Earlier in the week, Bueckers had already closed a significant milestone. As reported by Newsweek, during Thursday's 91-85 victory over the Indiana Fever, Bueckers recorded her career-high 204th assist of the season, breaking the franchise single-season assists record. She led the Wings with eight assists in 35 minutes, while Fever guard Caitlin Clark finished with nine in the same playing time. Skylar Diggins, who played for the Wings from 2016 to 2018, previously held the record with 199 assists in 2018 and 198 in 2017.

Bueckers ranks eighth in the WNBA with an average of 5.8 assists per game this season. The Wings, now 22-16, can clinch a playoff spot as early as Tuesday with a win against the Portland Fire at College Park Center. That victory would secure a berth for Dallas, particularly after the Fire's Friday loss to the Toronto, as Newsweek reported. While the Wings will play the Storm on Sunday, the outcome of that game will not affect their ability to clinch on Tuesday.

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In another game, the Washington Mystics overcame a 14-point deficit to beat the Portland Fire 105-100, as reported by Essentially Sports. Shaqiya Austin had a career-high 31 points and 10 rebounds for the Mystics, with Kiki Iriafen adding 18 points and 10 rebounds, Sonia Citron 14, and Cotie McMahon 13. The Mystics have now won 7 of their last 10 and qualify for the playoffs for the first time since 2023. CEO Ted Leonsis celebrated on X: "The WNBA playoffs are coming back to DC!"

Injuries have also affected the Las Vegas Aces. NaLamura Smith injured her knee late in the third quarter of the Aces' game against the Minnesota Lynx, and did not return. Smith is averaging 11.7 points and 6.4 rebounds this season, shooting 63.8% from the field, and had started all 38 games. Aces star A'ja Wilson said of Smith: "God has his hands on... We're going to continue to be beside her through the whole process, but it is like Becky says, 'Man down, man up.'"

Looking Ahead

The Wings are one win away from their first playoffs since 2023, facing Portland on Tuesday. They are playing with a playoff mentality, as Bueckers told Essentially Sports: "We want to play every game like it's a playoff." If the Wings win, they'll secure a berth; if not, their fate will hang on their next game.