Paige Bueckers made her much-anticipated return from a concussion on Wednesday night time.
But, the No. 1 general choose wasn’t simply again on the ground for the Dallas Wings. She was higher than she has been all season, setting a brand new career-high in simply the primary half.
Bueckers, who led UConn to the nationwide championship in April, has gotten her WNBA profession off to a stellar begin to this point.
Earlier than her harm, in six video games, Bueckers was main the league in assists (6.7), on prime of averaging 14.7 factors (nineteenth), 2.0 steals (tied for third) and 4.7 rebounds.
If there was one criticism, the rookie is taking pictures simply 33% from three-point vary, though her general taking pictures share is 43.7%.
Not less than earlier than her return to the lineup.
Bueckers does not fairly get the hype of Indiana Fever star Caitlin Clark, however her sport is not far behind, and Wednesday night time was an incredible instance of that.
Taking part in in opposition to the Phoenix Mercury after lacking 4 video games, Bueckers exceeded her earlier career-high for factors, 21, with 22 factors within the first half.
Bueckers made 8-of-10 pictures from the sphere. She was additionally an ideal 3-for-3 from three-point vary. Sadly, the remainder of the Wings did not supply a lot assist in what ended up because the group’s tenth loss, 93-80.
Bueckers heated up once more late within the second half, drilling two extra triples to try to ignite a comeback, clinching her first 30-point sport within the league within the course of.
Bueckers completed with 35 factors (13-of-19), six rebounds, 4 assists and 5 three-pointers in a efficiency that was Clark-esque.
Clark reached the 30-point plateau for the primary time in her eighth WNBA sport. Bueckers did it in her seventh.
Bueckers may not have the identical sport as Clark, however she will be simply as impactful, and this was a reminder of that.
