UNCASVILLE, CONN. — The Dallas Wings are finally building momentum. Behind standout rookie performances from Paige Bueckers and Aziaha James, the Wings held off the Connecticut Sun, 86-83, Friday night at Mohegan Sun Arena.
Bueckers poured in a team-high 21 points and dished out seven assists, while James delivered a career-best 17 points, five rebounds, and five assists. The two are now the only rookies in the league this season with a 15-5-5 stat line—Bueckers has done it three times.
Dallas (3-11) completed a two-game sweep over Connecticut (2-11), a feat the franchise last achieved on the road in 2009. Friday’s win also marks the Wings’ first back-to-back victories of the season.
Dallas jumped out early behind NaLyssa Smith’s eight-point first quarter and took a 42-40 lead into halftime thanks to a strong shooting half from Bueckers. In the third, James keyed a 12-0 run that gave the Wings their largest lead, though the Sun rallied to keep it tight.
In the final quarter, Dallas never trailed. James scored seven more in the clutch, while Li Yueru chipped in a season-high 11 points and nine rebounds. Smith added 12 points and seven boards.
The Wings won the rebounding battle 42-29 and scored 22 second-chance points, making the most of Connecticut’s 13 turnovers.
Tina Charles led the Sun with 26 points, including 10-of-11 from the line.
Dallas heads to D.C. next, facing the Mystics on Sunday at 2 p.m. CT.
