Despite her 29-point game, Paige Bueckers and the Dallas Wings failed to secure dominance over the Indiana Fever. And the Wings coach Jose Fernandez really had it out for his team.

“When they (Fever) started to take it out of her (Bueckers’) hands right on pick-and-roll situations, man, we got to do a much better job going (forward),” the Coach said following the Wings’ recent 87-98 loss to the Fever. “It can't just be Paige an entire 4^th quarter to come to the rescue every time.”

Despite missing starters Azzi Fudd and Jessica Shepard, plus guard Aziaha James, the Wings dominated the league’s best offensive team (96.3 PPG) until the 3rd quarter, leading 66-63. However, the Fever turned the tables in the 4^th quarter.

By now, everyone knows Bueckers’ impact as a clutch player who is exceptionally instrumental in the 4^th quarter. The “winner DNA” just refuses to fade out in the big moments and crunch time, combined with her elite midrange shooting, playmaking and uncanny court vision.

But Fernandez stressed that the team cannot rely on Bueckers to bail them out every 4th quarter. The coach played Bueckers for only 10 minutes in the 4th quarter, during which she scored 2 points on 1-of-2 shooting. The Wings got outscored by 21-35.

The team now collectively have to solve this, as surely enough, their star player wasn’t ready to lose.

Paige Bueckers on Dallas Wings’ 4th Quarter Collapse

Dallas 2025 No.1 overall draft pick showed an electric play, going toe-to-toe with Fever phenom Caitlin Clark. Both scored 29, with Bueckers adding 6 rebounds, 6 assists and 2 blocks. Having a roster disadvantage to stop her team was the last thing she wanted.

“In the fourth quarter, they just laid it on us. They played more physical; they wanted it more, and that’s unacceptable (for us) as a team,” she stated postgame. “We got to string together 40 minutes. We don’t think being down people is an excuse.”

“We have a really good team and really good players coming off the bench and a deep team,” the Wings star added. “So, we want to get these wins, regardless.”

With the postseason next month, Dallas will be on the clock to fill these gaps. They take on the Golden State Valkyries on August 17.

What’s your prediction for that game? Let us know in the comments.

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Written by

Deblina Roy