Paige Bueckers shines in front of UConn legend as Wings play best basketball vs. Valkyries

Dallas Wings guard Paige Bueckers speaks on court before lighting the tower after a WNBA game against the Golden State Valkyries at College Park Center, Tuesday, June 17, 2025, in Arlington. The Wings defeated the Valkyries 80-71.

ARLINGTON — After a week full of roster changes and injury news, the Dallas Wings played arguably their best basketball of the season on Tuesday night to earn their second win of 2025 and first at College Park Center.

UConn Huskies head coach Geno Auriemma reacts after Dallas Wings guard Paige Bueckers won her first home WNBA game against the Golden State Valkyries at College Park Center, Tuesday, June 17, 2025, in Arlington. The Wings defeated the Valkyries 80-71.

Their 80-71 win over the Golden State Valkyries (5-6) marked the team’s first victory since May 27 when rookie standout and UConn product Paige Bueckers played her inaugural game in Connecticut as a WNBA player.

Dallas Wings guard Paige Bueckers (5) drives to the paint past Golden State Valkyries guard Tiffany Hayes (15) during the second half of a WNBA game at College Park Center, Tuesday, June 17, 2025, in Arlington. The Wings defeated the Valkyries 80-71.

Bueckers’ second win of her WNBA career also had a Connecticut tie. UConn coach Geno Auriemma sat courtside to watch his former player who helped lead the Huskies to their 12th national championship in April. In her first home game since returning from concussion protocol and illness, which knocked her out of four contests from May 31 through June 8, Bueckers scored a game-high 20 points on 9-of-18 shooting. She also recorded four rebounds, four steals and two assists.

Dallas Wings guard Arike Ogunbowale (24) attempts a layup during the second half of a WNBA game against the Golden State Valkyries at College Park Center, Tuesday, June 17, 2025, in Arlington. The Wings defeated the Valkyries 80-71.

“I could just hear him in the back of my mind,” Bueckers said of Auriemma. “Just all the lovely things that he would have to say. It was fun. It was cool. I was glad to see him here.”

Dallas Wings guard DiJonai Carrington (21) attacks the paint against a defending Golden State Valkyries guard Veronica Burton (22) during the second half of a WNBA game at College Park Center, Tuesday, June 17, 2025, in Arlington. The Wings defeated the Valkyries 80-71.

The rookie sank two free throws with 19.4 seconds remaining in the game to help seal the victory. All-Star guard Arike Ogunbowale also had a great night. She scored 19 points on 7-of-19 shooting, while recording six assists, five rebounds and three steals.

Dallas Wings forward Myisha Hines-Allen (2) reacts after a foul call during the first half of a WNBA game against the Golden State Valkyries at College Park Center, Tuesday, June 17, 2025, in Arlington.

It was exactly the performance the Wings (2-11) needed from the backcourt duo after a month of instability.

Dallas Wings head coach Chris Koclanes talks to his players during the first half of a WNBA game against the Golden State Valkyries at College Park Center, Tuesday, June 17, 2025, in Arlington.

“The stuff doesn’t even show up on the box score, but I feel like this was really just a full team effort,” Bueckers said. “Everybody who played tonight made an impact in some way and contributed to winning, so it was really good to put it all together like that.”

Dallas Wings center Li Yueru (28) and Golden State Valkyries forward Laeticia Amihere (3) battle for a rebound during the first half of a WNBA game at College Park Center, Tuesday, June 17, 2025, in Arlington.

Dallas entered Tuesday’s matchup coming off a tough 88-84 road loss to the Las Vegas Aces on Friday. The Wings led the Aces, without reigning league MVP A’ja Wilson, by 11 points with 3:34 left in the fourth quarter before Las Vegas outscored them 17-2 to win the game in comeback fashion.

Dallas Wings guard DiJonai Carrington (from left), center Li Yueru and forward Maddy Siegrist watch the first half of a WNBA game against the Golden State Valkyries at College Park Center, Tuesday, June 17, 2025, in Arlington.

Not even 24 hours after the loss, the Wings announced they had waived guard-forward Kaila Charles and had acquired 6-7 center Li Yueru through a trade with the Seattle Storm. Come Monday, the team announced forward Maddy Siegrist, who missed Friday’s game, had sustained a right knee injury that she will return from later in the season.

Dallas Wings fans raise signs for guard Paige Bueckers during the first half of a WNBA game against the Golden State Valkyries at College Park Center, Tuesday, June 17, 2025, in Arlington.

That meant the Wings were down to eight available players, with centers Luisa Geiselsöder and Teaira McCowan away at EuroBasket and guard Ty Harris recently ruled out for the remainder of the 2025 season due to a knee injury.

Golden State Valkyries forward Laeticia Amihere (3) and Dallas Wings guard Kaila Charles (3) dive to the floor for a loose ball during the second half of a WNBA game at College Park Center, Tuesday, June 17, 2025, in Arlington. The Wings defeated the Valkyries 80-71.

Golden State Valkyries guard Carla Leite (0) steals the ball from Dallas Wings guard DiJonai Carrington (21) during the second half of a WNBA game at College Park Center, Tuesday, June 17, 2025, in Arlington. The Wings defeated the Valkyries 80-71.

And on Tuesday night, the Wings ended a seven-game losing streak and enjoyed their first home win of 2025.

Dallas Wings center Li Yueru (28) fights for a loose ball with Golden State Valkyries guard Carla Leite (0) during the second half of a WNBA game at College Park Center, Tuesday, June 17, 2025, in Arlington. The Wings defeated the Valkyries 80-71.

Now, Dallas wants to keep a new streak going.

Dallas Wings guard Arike Ogunbowale (24) reacts after a foul call during the second half of a WNBA game against the Golden State Valkyries at College Park Center, Tuesday, June 17, 2025, in Arlington. The Wings defeated the Valkyries 80-71.

“It feels good just to get the win and we’ve got to learn to win,” Wings coach Chris Koclanes said. " ... I think you saw just a different tenacity the last five minutes to really go and get it ... We went and we took it."

Dallas Wings guard Paige Bueckers (5) drives past Golden State Valkyries forward Laeticia Amihere (3) during the second half of a WNBA game at College Park Center, Tuesday, June 17, 2025, in Arlington. The Wings defeated the Valkyries 80-71.

Dallas Wings guard Arike Ogunbowale (24) drives to the basket during the second half of a WNBA game against the Golden State Valkyries at College Park Center, Tuesday, June 17, 2025, in Arlington. The Wings defeated the Valkyries 80-71.

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UConn Huskies head coach Geno Auriemma hugs Dallas Wings guard Paige Bueckers (5) after a WNBA game against the Golden State Valkyries at College Park Center, Tuesday, June 17, 2025, in Arlington. The Wings defeated the Valkyries 80-71.

UConn Huskies head coach Geno Auriemma playfully jabs Dallas Wings guard Paige Bueckers after her first home win at College Park Center, Tuesday, June 17, 2025, in Arlington. The Wings defeated the Valkyries 80-71.

Dallas Wings guard Paige Bueckers (5) attempts a shot against Golden State Valkyries forward Stephanie Talbot (7) during the first half of a WNBA game at College Park Center, Tuesday, June 17, 2025, in Arlington.

Dallas Wings guard Paige Bueckers (5) passes out of a double team from Golden State Valkyries guard Veronica Burton (22) and forward Stephanie Talbot (7) during the first half of a WNBA game at College Park Center, Tuesday, June 17, 2025, in Arlington.