Dallas Wings’ rookie phenoms Paige Bueckers and Aziaha James show out in win over Mercury
Dallas Wings forward Myisha Hines-Allen (2) congratulates guard Aziaha James (10) on her second half performance at College Park Center in Arlington, July 3, 2025. James was the leading scorer with 28 pts as the beat the Mercury, 98-89.
ARLINGTON — On the same day that point guard Paige Bueckers was named WNBA Rookie of the Month for June, it was only fitting that all of the Dallas Wings rookies showed out in the 98-89 win against the Phoenix Mercury.
Dallas Wings guard Aziaha James (10) puts up a fourth quarter shot over Phoenix Mercury guard Monique Akoa Makani (8) at College Park Center in Arlington, July 3, 2025. The Wings won, 98-89.
Only eight Wings players were available for Thursday’s game at the College Park Center. DiJonai Carrington missed her fifth game in a row with a rib injury, and Arike Ogunbowale was out with a left thumb injury.
Dallas Wings guard JJ Quinerly (11) reaches back for the ball as shes covered by Phoenix Mercury guard Sami Whitcomb (33) during the second half at College Park Center in Arlington, July 3, 2025. The Wings won, 98-89.
“We faced a lot of adversity this whole week, and we never gave up on ourselves,” small forward Aziaha James said after the win. “We stayed together, we stayed composed and we did what we had to do tonight.”
Dallas Wings guard Paige Bueckers (5) wears a pair of red/blue Nike shoes against the Phoenix Mercury at College Park Center in Arlington, July 3, 2025. The Wings won, 98-89.
Five of the eight available players are rookies, and four of them started.
Dallas Wings center Luisa Geiselsoder (18) and guard JJ Quinerly (11) try to corral the ball as Phoenix Mercury forward Satou Sabally (0) mixes it up during the second half at College Park Center in Arlington, July 3, 2025. The Wings won, 98-89.
“The rooks, we always compete in practice against the vets and know that when it’s game time we’re ready whenever our number’s called,” James said. “So tonight was definitely the rooks’ night.”
Dallas Wings guard Paige Bueckers (5) passes the ball over Phoenix Mercury center Kalani Brown (21) during the second half at College Park Center in Arlington, July 3, 2025. The Wings won, 98-89.
Rookies scored 72 of the team’s points Thursday.
Injured Dallas Wings guard Arike Ogunbowale smiles during player introductions before the team faces Phoenix at College Park Center in Arlington, July 3, 2025.
James and Bueckers started alongside rookies JJ Quinerly and Luisa Geiselsöder. The only starter who was not a rookie was center Li Yueru, in her third season in the WNBA.
Dallas Wings guard DiJonai Carrington (right) congratulates Wings guard Aziaha James (10) as they pulled away against the Phoenix Mercury in the first half at College Park Center in Arlington, July 3, 2025.
In the first half, 77% of the team’s 61 points were scored by the rookie starters.
Dallas Wings guard Paige Bueckers (5) has the ball stripped from her hands by Phoenix Mercury guard Sami Whitcomb (33) during the first half at College Park Center in Arlington, July 3, 2025.
Small forward Aziaha James led the group with 20 points at the half, more than three times her average of 6.7 points per game. She finished the game with 28 points, six rebounds and six assists. James was the 12th pick of the 2025 draft, coming to Dallas from North Carolina State.
Dallas Wings center Li Yueru (28) puts up a first half shot against the Phoenix Mercury at College Park Center in Arlington, July 3, 2025.
“Obviously it was the Aziaha James game, so that was extremely fun to watch and to be a part of,” Bueckers said. “...To be fearless and to just be confident, I’m so happy for her, because she has it in her. She’s always had it in her.”
Dallas Wings teammates check on teammate Paige Bueckers after she was driven to the floor by Phoenix Mercury guard Kahleah Copper during the second half at College Park Center in Arlington, July 3, 2025. The Wings won, 98-89.
The four rookie starters each played more than 30 minutes of the game. Quinerly, who averages 9.1 minutes per game, played 35 minutes. James played 38 minutes, more than double her average of 16.9 minutes.
Dallas Wings guard Paige Bueckers (5) covers Phoenix Mercury guard Sami Whitcomb (33) during the second half at College Park Center in Arlington, July 3, 2025. The Wings won, 98-89.
“I thought that was a really good 40 minutes tonight,” Koclanes said. “And again, not perfect, but loved our start. …We came out and we established right from the tip, how physical we were going to play and that we were going to set the tempo.”
Dallas Wings forward Myisha Hines-Allen (2) gets in Phoenix Mercury forward Alyssa Thomas (25) face as she drives the lane during the second half at College Park Center in Arlington, July 3, 2025. The Wings won, 98-89.
Bueckers finished the game with 23 points, four rebounds and five assists. Quinerly had 17 points, five rebounds and seven assists.
Dallas Wings guard JJ Quinerly (11) stripped the ball from Phoenix Mercury guard Sami Whitcomb (33) in the closing minute of the first half at College Park Center in Arlington, July 3, 2025.
“They’re just fearless, and they have tremendous belief in who’s in that locker room, regardless of who is suiting up that night,” Koclanes said of his team. “You win a game without Paige, you win a game without Arike, everyone can contribute. It’s our competitive depth, and everyone’s going to continue to buy into that.”
Dallas Wings guard Paige Bueckers (5) puts up an off-balance shot against the Phoenix Mercury during he first half at College Park Center in Arlington, July 3, 2025.
Dallas Wings guard Paige Bueckers (5) drives around Phoenix Mercury guard Monique Akoa Makani (8) during he first half at College Park Center in Arlington, July 3, 2025.
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Dallas Wings forward Myisha Hines-Allen (2) congratulates guard Aziaha James (10) on her second half performance at College Park Center in Arlington, July 3, 2025. James was the leading scorer with 28 pts as the beat the Mercury, 98-89.
Dallas Wings guard JJ Quinerly (11) reacts after sinking a first quarter three-pointer against the Phoenix Mercury at College Park Center in Arlington, July 3, 2025.
Dallas Wings guard Paige Bueckers (5) drives past Phoenix Mercury center Kalani Brown (21) during the first half at College Park Center in Arlington, July 3, 2025.
Dallas Wings head coach Chris Koclanes yells to guard Aziaha James (10) as they get back on offense against the Phoenix Mercury in the first half at College Park Center in Arlington, July 3, 2025.
