When Paige Bueckers was selected first overall by the Dallas Wings, it came as no surprise. What was even less surprising, however, was her excitement about facing her former UConn teammates.”Obviously, all the UConn alums — my former teammates Liv, Aaliyah, Nika — and everybody else, and everybody, honestly, I’m just so excited to compete,” Bueckers said. “It’s been a childhood dream, and just to be able to share that, and really enjoy that experience.” So, when the Wings vs Sun game came around, she put on her sisterhood hat and got ready to scream, “My livvyypoohhh”. 

While Dallas took it all in the end, regardless of the wins or losses, their sisterhood remains intact. It’s as sweet as when Liv was drafted in 2022. Paige Bueckers couldn’t help dancing in her dorm room while watching it on television. She even gave a loud shoutout to “LA” for picking Olivia Nelson-Ododa.

Paige Bueckers’ new pick-and-roll partner

Those analysts who claimed Dallas had no chemistry might want to rethink their take. Because it looks like Li Yueru was exactly what the Wings needed all along. After their latest win, Paige Bueckers didn’t hold back when talking about her new teammate. She said, “It’s really fun to play with her. She’s super smart and has a high IQ… chemistry will continue to keep building. But she plays extremely hard.”

Yep, she’s talking about the 6’7” center who flew under the radar coming from Seattle but is now making a huge difference in Dallas. Back in Seattle, Li Yueru was stuck in a loaded frontcourt, and she didn’t hide her frustration before leaving. “I came to America only for one reason: to play basketball. This team is really perfect. (This) is the best team I’ve ever been on. We have the best post player in the world, we have 4 post players, and I don’t feel I have enough time.”

Fast forward to now, she’s finally getting some real minutes, and she is taking full advantage, especially with Teaira McCowan and Luisa Geiselsoder out. And it’s paying off for Dallas, too; they are starting to click at just the right time. Even critics like Lucy Rhoden can let out a sigh of relief.

“I don’t even know at this point. I’m always affirmed that in any sport you’ve got to give a little bit of time,” Lucy had said. “Because things are going to, like, if you’re bringing in a new coach, if you’re bringing in new players, if you’re starting a new system: there needs to be an adjustment period. However, the Wings were so bad that I’m like, “I don’t even know if I believe this anymore.”

With tough wins piling up and the team’s chemistry growing, Dallas is also boosting Paige Bueckers’ Rookie of the Year case. And in a league where analysts like Monica McNutt value team success as much as stats, Bueckers now has both momentum and big wins backing her up. Stay tuned for what’s coming next.