UNCASVILLE, CONN. — After sputtering through their first four games, the Dallas Wings finally clicked Tuesday night at Mohegan Sun Arena, cruising to a 109–87 victory over the winless Connecticut Sun. It was a special night for rookie guard Paige Bueckers, whose return to Connecticut—this time in Wings green—was marked by a career-high 21 points.
Head coach Chris Koclanes, in only his fifth game at the helm, tasted victory for the first time in his WNBA career. Dallas snapped its early-season skid to move to 1–4, while the Sun fell to 0–5.
Depth ruled the evening for Dallas. All 12 Wings checked in, 11 of them scoring. Five players hit double figures: Arike Ogunbowale led the balanced attack with 19 points and a clutch six steals, DiJonai Carrington chipped in 16, Maddy Siegrist dropped 12, and Kaila Charles added 10. Youngsters JJ Quinerly and Aziaha James each set new personal bests (five and nine points, respectively), underscoring Dallas’s promising rookie class.
Bueckers wasn’t just a scorer. She dished seven assists, grabbed five boards, swiped two steals, blocked a shot—and did it all on 80 percent shooting. In the process, she became the fastest rookie in WNBA history to reach 60 points and 30 assists in a five-game span, eclipsing Suzie McConnell Serio’s mark. No first-year player had ever compiled 20+ points, 5+ rebounds, 5+ assists and 2+ steals on 80 percent shooting in a single outing—until now.
Meanwhile, Ogunbowale quietly climbed another milestone: her 4,083 points through 200 games leapfrogged A’ja Wilson for second place in that career games span, trailing only Breanna Stewart’s 4,121.
With their first win in the books and multiple arms showing they belong, the Wings may have finally flipped the switch on their season. Next up: continuing the momentum as they head back home to face a tough Eastern Conference slate.
