Image Credit - Grace Hollars/IndyStar / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Paige Bueckers Joins Caitlin Clark in Rare WNBA Rookie Milestone Despite Dallas Wings Struggles in WNBA Season

Bueckers makes history in milestone season despite Dallas Wings’ struggles

Image Credit - Grace Hollars/IndyStar / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Paige Bueckers carved her name into WNBA rookie history on Friday, joining Caitlin Clark in a statistical category no first-year player had reached before. The Dallas Wings guard hit the mark during a lopsided 95-60 loss to the Seattle Storm, the team’s fourth straight defeat.

The 2025 No. 1 overall pick entered the night already leading her team in nearly every category, with 570 points, 119 rebounds, 153 assists and 49 steals through 29 games.

With just over seven minutes remaining in the third quarter, she intercepted a pass from Seattle’s Brittney Sykes and set up teammate Maddy Siegrist for an easy basket. That defensive play gave Paige Bueckers her 50th steal of the year, the last piece needed to secure a rare rookie achievement.

Another feat for PB5 🙌

Paige Bueckers joins Caitlin Clark as the second rookie in WNBA history to record 500+ PTS, 150+ AST, 100+ REB, and 50+ STL in a season. #WelcometotheW pic.twitter.com/G1rooMRgLo
— WNBA (@WNBA) August 23, 2025

By reaching 500 points, 150 assists, 100 rebounds and 50 steals in her debut campaign, Bueckers became only the second rookie in WNBA history to accomplish the feat. The first to do it was Caitlin Clark, who hit the same thresholds during her 2024 season with the Indiana Fever.

Bueckers Leads Rookie of the Year Race

Even with Dallas eliminated from playoff contention, Paige Bueckers continues to lead the Rookie of the Year race. In 30 appearances this season, she is averaging 19.4 points on 47.2 percent shooting, along with 4.0 rebounds, 5.1 assists and 1.7 steals per game.

Her ability to reach the 500-point, 150-assist, 100-rebound, 50-steal milestone faster than Clark, in 30 games compared to Clark’s 39, only strengthens her case.

Clark, meanwhile, powered Indiana to a 20-20 record in 2024, delivering the franchise’s first playoff berth since 2016. She finished her rookie year averaging 19.2 points, 5.7 rebounds, 8.4 assists and 1.3 steals while setting the WNBA’s single-season assists record.

Paige Bueckers closed Friday’s loss with 11 points on 2-of-7 shooting, adding two rebounds and one steal. That performance pushed her season totals to 581 points, 153 assists, 121 rebounds and 50 steals.

The Wings, now 9-28 on the year, will return to action Sunday when they host the Golden State Valkyries.