Paige Bueckers Hits Career Milestone Against Longtime Rival
The Dallas Wings and Indiana Fever faced off Sunday in a headline-worthy matchup. The first-ever WNBA showdown between Paige Bueckers and Caitlin Clark. The two No. 1 overall picks, who have been going toe-to-toe since fifth grade, finally met on the professional stage.
The first quarter stayed tight, but Indiana broke things open in the second, outscoring Dallas by 21 points to build a 64–42 halftime lead. Both guards dropped 10 points by halftime, but Bueckers’ performance carried added weight.
With her 10-point first half, Bueckers officially reached 300 career points, becoming tied as the fifth-fastest guard in WNBA history to hit that mark.
Bueckers’ Rookie Year Adds Another Historic Feat
Bueckers joins a legendary list that includes Cynthia Cooper, Cappie Pondexter, and Seimone Augustus all WNBA icons. The 23-year-old has been putting together one of the most dominant rookie seasons the league has seen.
Coming into Sunday, she led all rookies in scoring, assists, and steals. She was recently named WNBA Rookie of the Month for June, earned a spot in the WNBA All-Star Game. And is currently the favorite to win Rookie of the Year.
Bueckers spent five seasons at UConn, where she built an elite résumé:
- 3x First Team All-American
- 3x Big East Player of the Year
- 2021 National Player of the Year
- Led UConn to a 2024 national title
Her final college season saw her average 21.9 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 3.8 assists per game numbers that have translated smoothly to the pros.
As the Bueckers-Clark rivalry enters its next chapter in the WNBA, fans can expect even more history to be made.
Read More: Paige Bueckers’ Viral Highlight Has the WNBA in Awe
