Paige Bueckers Joins Caitlin Clark in Historic WNBA Club
Paige Bueckers hasn’t had the easiest rookie season with the struggling Dallas Wings, but her individual performance has already placed her among elite company. The former UConn standout just became the only WNBA rookie besides Caitlin Clark to average more than 15 points and 5 assists through her first 15 professional games.
Bueckers, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2025 WNBA Draft, is averaging 18.2 points and 5.5 assists per game despite the Wings’ 6-14 record. It’s a stat line that underscores just how impactful the 22-year-old has been out of the gate, matching a milestone Clark hit during her own explosive debut season with the Indiana Fever in 2024.
Awaiting a Star-Studded Showdown
Fans have eagerly awaited a head-to-head matchup between Bueckers and Clark, but so far the WNBA schedule and injuries have kept them apart. Clark missed the first Fever-Wings game in June due to a lingering groin injury. But the calendar might deliver a can’t-miss showdown this weekend, as the Wings travel to Indiana for a highly anticipated rematch on July 13.
Even bigger news? The WNBA has officially moved the August game between the Wings and Fever in Dallas to American Airlines Center, a venue with a capacity of over 20,000 fans. Clearly, the league knows a blockbuster rivalry when it sees one.
Rookie Class Setting the Bar Higher
With Clark averaging 16.8 points and 6.3 assists before her injury, and Bueckers not far behind, this rookie class is reshaping what immediate impact looks like in the WNBA. Their production, popularity, and poise under pressure are fueling record ticket sales, higher viewership, and long-overdue conversations about investment in women’s basketball.
The Clark-Bueckers era is just getting started. And if the numbers hold, it could define a new golden age for the league.
Read More: Paige Bueckers: Wings Coach Worries About Her Minutes
