Following the best game of her season against the Phoenix Mercury, Dallas Wings star Paige Bueckers addressed her apparent injury with some sense of humor.

Bueckers hurt her ankle in the second quarter while she was going for the rebound. Fans held their breath as she limped to the locker room to get treatment. Fortunately, it was nothing serious, and Bueckers was able to continue the second half without any issues.

“I kind of rolled it and it gave out a little bit on a rebound,” Bueckers said in the postgame interview. “But once it rolls, it rolls right back, so I just had to go in the back and get it taped. Adrenaline is the best drug, so I didn’t really feel it during the game. I just wanted to power through and help the team get a win.”

The ankle roll did not stop Bueckers from scoring a season-high 31 points on 14-of-20 shooting, including 3-of-5 from long distance. She also had six rebounds and five assists.

“I’m feeling great. I just had to go get some ankle tape. I think it touched earth, but it rolls and it rolls right back, so we’re all good,” Bueckers reassured with a smile.

The night carried more significance for Bueckers, who passed 900 career points. She also joined A'ja Wilson, Napheesa Collier, and Breanna Stewart as the only players to post at least 31 points, 6 rebounds, 5 assists, and 14 field goals while shooting 70% or better in a regular-season game.

With the Wings extending their record to 8-4 for the season, they look completely unrecognizable from last year and are in a fantastic spot to reach the playoffs for the first time since 2023 under head coach Jose Fernandez.

A big part of their success lies in surrounding the reigning Rookie of the Year with elite offensive players.

Azzi Fudd and Jessica Shepherd Help in Anchoring a Balanced Attack

The No. 1 overall pick, Azzi Fudd, is starting to get into the flow of things with consistent double-digit scorelines for the Wings.

Fudd scored 17 points and a career-high 4 assists in her sixth double-digit scoring game of the season. She was aggressive when the openings came, whether spacing the floor, coming off off-ball screens, or rejecting a ball screen to attack.

Meanwhile, Jessica Shepherd added 17 points, 10 rebounds, and 7 assists on 7-of-8 shooting, recording her seventh double-double of the season and the 26th of her career.

While the stats are more than impressive, Bueckers revealed that Shepherd's impact lies more outside than inside the box score.

“Her impact shows up on the stat sheet, but it’s also so many things that don’t,” Bueckers said.

“She’s a triple-double threat every single night. She’s a pressure reliever because she can bring the ball up, initiate offense, pass, screen, cut, and rebound. She rebounds way outside her area. You don’t want to be in a rebound battle with Jess Shepard.”

With a supporting cast like this, Bueckers and the Wings can surely aim for this season's Commissioner's Cup crown. They continue their journey on the road against the Portland Fire on Saturday.

So, where do you think the Dallas Wings will finish in the Western Conference this season? Let us know in the comments.

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Written by

Joy Bassy

Edited by

Joy Bassy