Image Credit: Michael Chow/The Rep

Mercury vs. Wings: Paige Bueckers Makes WNBA Return with Career-High Performance, Dallas Drops 10th Game of the Season

Paige Bueckers also became the fourth rookie player in franchise history to record at least 30 points in a single game.

Image Credit: Michael Chow/The Rep

Paige Bueckers, the No. 1 pick in the 2025 WNBA draft, made a stunning comeback in the WNBA following an injury. The rookie player dropped a career-high performance but Phoenix Mercury weathered her career-game with a 93-80 victory on Wednesday night. Following the NBA Finals Game 3 in Indianapolis, the all attention shifted to Bueckers, who stole the limelight in the WNBA.

Bueckers finished with a career-high 35 points, six rebounds and four assists on his WNBA Commissioner’s Cup debut. The Wings star made a comeback after a four-game absence due to the concussion protocol and illness. She was in dominant form during the opening half, scoring 22 of her team’s 36 points.

PAIGE BUCKETS HAS RETURNED 👑

Bueckers hit a career-high upon her return from concussion protocol in Wings-Mercury. pic.twitter.com/FDODcgp6ik
— espnW (@espnW) June 12, 2025

Also Read: WNBA Legend Candace Parker Speaks on Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese Rivalry, Criticizes Media Narrative Around Both Stars

Dallas Wings Drop Sixth Straight Game as Mercury Spoils Paige Bueckers’ Career Night

Paige Bueckers’ was 13 of 19 from the field and 5-for-7 from three-point range. At half-time, the rookie player also broke her own first-half record with 22 points but still, Mercury ended the half with a 42-26 lead. It was a lone effort from the No. 1 pick in the 2025 WNBA draft. Phoenix stretched their lead to double digit in the second half and outscored Dallas in all four quarters.

Paige Bueckers also became the fourth rookie player in franchise history to record at least 30 points in a single game. Her teammate, Arike Ogunbowale last dropped a 30-point outburst for Dallas in 2019. There was also a crazy fact from her performance that Bueckers was the only player who made threes for the Wings in this game. It’s rare to see a game where a team only has one player to make a 3-pointer. Rest of the Wings went 0-for-12 from 3-point range.

Satou Sabally led the Mercury with 20 points and 10 rebounds. She also tied for first in the WNBA for most 20+ point games (7) this season. Alyssa Thomas scored a double-double after missing the previous five games with a left calf injury. Katija Laksa added 14 points and four 3-pointers and Kathryn Westbeld and Lexi Held each had 11 points for the Mercury. Natasha Mack also made her season debut for Phoenix after missing first 10 games with a back injury.

Phoenix defeat Dallas 93-80 🔥

Satou Sabally led the way: 20 PTS, 9 REB, 4 threes
Alyssa Thomas added: 11 PTS, 10 AST, 2 STL

Mercury improve to 7-4 overall, 3-2 in Commissioner's Cup play 🏆 pic.twitter.com/9FkPNkbcXO
— WNBA (@WNBA) June 12, 2025

Apart from Bueckers, Wings looked down and dusted in the game. Arike Ogunbowale missed her first seven field goal attempts and managed just 10 points on 2 of 10 shooting. She recently contributed 26 points in the Wings’ 81-65 loss to Minnesota on Sunday. Dijonai Carrington added 11 points and 10 rebounds while, Luisa Geiselsoder had 10.

Dallas Wings shot 43.3% from the floor and 26.3% from the 3-point range. On the other side, the Mercury improved to 50% from the floor and 42.9% from three-point line. The difference was clear and Phoenix outplayed Dallas in all departments.

The Mercury are now 3-2 in Commissioner’s Cup play and the Wings are 0-4. It was Dallas’ 10th defeat of the season in 11 games which is their worst start ever in the WNBA. They dropped sixth straight games and are winless against conference rivals this season. Wings will now take on Aces on Friday to find a winning momentum, while the Mercury will stay in the L.A. to face the same team on Sunday.

Image Credit: Michael Chow/The Rep

Dallas Wings

Paige Bueckers

WNBA 2025

Gulshan Sharma

nba

soccer

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A native of Jaipur, Rajasthan, journalist, and a complete soccer and basketball fan, he found the huge interest with basketball by watching videos of Allen Iverson and Tony Parker, but fell head over heels in love with the sport during the Warriors’ championship era (2015-2018). A sports game addict since his late PS1, he’s also passionate about the Eagles, Inter Miami and the Fever. He’s fortunate to have seen all his favorite teams win championships. He also has a special love for cricket and football (soccer), where he is a fan of Royal Challengers Bangalore and Barcelona.