Even though Caitlin Clark missed her WNBA matchup against Paige Bueckers on Sunday night, the Fever vs Wings game was one for the ages. The Fever were able to draw the largest crowd for any women’s basketball game at the American Airlines Center in Dallas. This was Clark’s second consecutive game she missed due to a groin injury and her seventh game overall this season. While many expected to see a heated rivalry between these two in front of a 20,409 sellout crowd, Bueckers preferred to show some grace for an injured Clark before the game even began.

The two young stars are among the best in the game, and yet they have got nothing but respect for each other. And while the media hyped this game as Bueckers vs Clark, the Wings star still believes that nothing is above the game. “I think competition is the best form of respect. You just try to bring greatness out of each other. We both know it’s not Paige vs. Caitlin, it’s the Fever vs. the Wings,” Paige Bueckers made it clear before Indiana vs Dallas. “A lot of people will tune in for the rivalry, for the individuals, but will end up loving it as a team sport and end up loving and being fans of so many other athletes. It’s fun. We enjoy competing against each other, so it’s exciting.”

Unfortunately, the much-anticipated showdown between Caitlin Clark and Paige Bueckers hasn’t happened since their college clash in the 2024 NCAA Final Four, where Iowa edged out UConn 71-69. Clark dropped 21 points that night, while Bueckers answered with 17 of her own. Tonight, they had a chance to settle the debates once and for all. But that groin injury she suffered in the late minutes against Seattle sidelined her from the game. Although the Fever’s guard is already on her way to recovery, Bueckers sounded concerned about Clark’s injury and warned her not to rush her comeback.

“I think player safety is most important, so make sure you’re 100% before you step out on the floor. It could lead to worse things,” Paige Bueckers, who racked up 27 points, six assists, and grabbed one rebound in 36 minutes, said before the game. Bueckers ended it on a high note, though. “I’m glad she’s taking care of her body, but there’ll be plenty of magic to the future.” 

That’s right, the WNBA All-Star games are coming up, and the Fever players are surely on that roster. But even for now, they created magic without Caitlin Clark on the court. Kelsey Mitchell led with 32 points and 7 assists, Aliyah Boston added 21 points, and Natasha Howard grabbed 13 rebounds with 15 points. Aari McDonald chipped in 13 and 6 assists. The squad as a whole shot a scorching 59.3% from the field with 32 assists. Next up: a showdown against the Minnesota Lynx to move above .500, stay tuned in.

Paige Bueckers defends Caitlin Clark as Fever “Get it done in Dallas”

The day before the Indiana Fever played the Dallas Wings, Paige Bueckers spoke up about the scrutiny young athletes face online. There, she defended Caitlin Clark without hesitation. “The pressure that she’s put on every single night to perform at the level that she does,” Bueckers said. She added, “it’s inhumane, really, to expect people to be perfect and to not have off games or off nights. If she doesn’t go 8-for-10 from 3, people are questioning things. It’s unfair to have to deal with that.”

She did acknowledge that criticism is part of the spotlight but stressed how tough it can be, adding, “It’s just what comes with it. Every player has to deal with it in some shape or form. In the NBA, it’s way worse. But you just deal with it.” While Bueckers was doing the talking, Clark and the Fever were quietly preparing a response off the court.

Caitlin Clark made sure her presence was still felt after the Fever pulled off a win over the Wings without her. She shared the team’s victory post with a pointed caption. It read “got it done in Dallas 🤠.” Was it a subtle dig? Possibly. But one thing’s certain: where Paige handles things with grace, Clark knows how to throw just the right amount of spice. Together, they’re not just playing ball—they’re carrying the WNBA into a new era, one where health, heart, and a little swagger keep the crowds coming back.