The WNBA preseason tipped off Friday with Paige Bueckers making her pro debut for the Dallas Wings against the Las Vegas Aces.
Facing an Aces squad returning four starters from their back-to-back title teams in 2022-23, plus two-time champion Jewell Loyd in the mix, Dallas faced an uphill battle as Las Vegas won in a rout 112-78.
Jackie Young starred in her return to South Bend, Ind., scoring 28 points and adding nine assists as Aces coach Becky Hammon extended Young’s minutes into the fourth quarter to the delight of Notre Dame fans. Young was particularly effective getting to the line, taking a career-best 13 free throws and making all of them.
Fellow Fighting Irish alums Loyd and Arike Ogunbowale had more muted performances, combining for 15 points. Loyd was tasked as Bueckers’ primary defender, however, and was in a defensive stance uncommon to most preseason action.
The Dallas starters were a little out of sorts, and Bueckers struggled to find the appropriate balance between hunting her shot and feeding her teammates. On one action, Bueckers was at the top of the key and found Ogunbowale in the corner coming off a screen, but the pass was too long, and the possession short-circuited. Nevertheless, in classic Bueckers fashion, she shot better than 50 percent from the field, including a beautiful lefty finger roll for her first points.
PAIGE’S FIRST LEAGUE POINTS LET’S GOOOOO!! pic.twitter.com/TZWtpblm7e
— Dallas Wings (@DallasWings) May 2, 2025
“It’s super surreal in terms of the turnaround from where I was two weeks ago to where I am today,” Bueckers said. “Just leaning on what’s gotten me in here, and continue to build off that.”
Bueckers then had the unenviable task of rotating between defending Loyd and Young. Earlier in training camp, Bueckers noted that the strength of WNBA screens was going to take getting used to, and she was cleared out by a Crystal Bradford screen during the second quarter that freed Young for a pull-up 3.
Make that 2⃣1⃣ points for Jackie!@JackieYoung3 // #ALLINLV pic.twitter.com/gXgAcBeGJm
— Las Vegas Aces (@LVAces) May 3, 2025
The Aces looked the part of a contender seeking another WNBA championship. In addition to Young’s output, A’ja Wilson added an easy 19 points and seven rebounds, albeit against a weaker defensive frontcourt of Teaira McCowan and NaLyssa Smith.
First-year coach Chris Koclanes said pregame that the Wings hadn’t even gotten to scout yet, focusing on themselves instead. Despite that, Dallas had 19 turnovers and took 14 fewer shots than Las Vegas.
Other rookies had bright spots as they bid to secure roster spots. Aziaha James was aggressive early and was the lone Dallas player to have a positive plus-minus (plus-9 in her 16 minutes). Third-round pick JJ Quinerly led the Wings with 16 points and had a meaningful impact defensively. Aces rookie Aaliyah Nye chipped in 17 points, comfortably sinking 5 of 8 3-pointers.
Las Vegas has one more preseason game against Phoenix on Tuesday. Dallas will host the Toyota Antelopes from Japan next Saturday as the Wings start what the franchise hopes is a foundational season.
(Photo: Justin Casterline / Getty Images)