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Paige Bueckers and the Dallas Wings hosted the Indiana Fever on Friday. The Wings looked to sustain their impressive home form after pulling off a 68-55 upset against the Atlanta Dream on Tuesday. Without Caitlin Clark (groin) suiting up for the Fever, the Wings had a good chance of fending off their struggling visitors.
Bueckers opened the game with a layup off a pass from former Fever NaLyssa Smith. She finished the period with three points and two assists, but the Wings fell behind big early, 33-13.
The No. 1 pick in this year’s draft found more rhythm in the second period. She dropped nine points, including a 31-foot heave that cut Indiana’s lead to 56-43 at halftime. Bueckers also got her teammates involved and ran the offense better. The Dallas Wings won the period 30-23 but still trailed entering the halftime break.
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Bueckers continued to stand out with her scoring and playmaking in the third quarter. She added nine points and two assists to drive the Wings' attempt to turn the game around. Bueckers' play led her team to a 26-18 third-period advantage to trail by just 74-69 entering the final frame.
Paige Bueckers had a sizzling fourth quarter. She had five points and two assists, but the Indiana Fever held on behind Natasha Howard's crucial baskets. The Fever walked away with a 94-86 win.
Paige Bueckers and Wings fail to overcome slow start to lose showdown with Caitlin Clark-less Fever
The Dallas Wings ended the first quarter shooting 4 for 14, including 0 for 3 from behind the arc. Despite a solid start from Paige Bueckers, she could only do so much for her teammates, who missed multiple open shots. After 10 minutes, the Wings trailed 33-13.
The Wings outscored the Fever 73-61 in the next three quarters, but the damage had already been done. Dallas tied the game at 82-all after Li Yueru hit a shot off a pass from Bueckers. Just as the home crowd got going, the Fever slammed the door on their hosts.
Indiana responded with a 9-0 run to douse the Wings' attempt to pull off a come-from-behind win. Paige Bueckers put on an impressive and efficient performance but could not lead her team to a win over the Caitlin Clark-less Fever.
