Paige Bueckers and the Dallas Wings faced the Phoenix Mercury for the second time in four nights on Monday. The Wings, who won 98-89 in Dallas four nights ago, looked to repeat on the road against a fellow injury-hampered team. Bueckers, who shone in the previous encounter against the Mercury, hoped to sustain her form.
The Wings were on their heels in the early going. Bueckers scored five points and dished an assist, but her team struggled against the pressure and energy of the hosts. Dallas faced a 28-19 deficit after an intense first quarter.
The Mercury defense shackled Bueckers for nearly the entire second quarter before a late flurry added six points to her tally. Bueckers' 15-foot jumper with 15.1 seconds left in the first half cut the Mercury's lead to 52-39.
The Phoenix Mercury defense was even more stifling in the third quarter, relegating Bueckers to a playmaker role. She missed both of her attempts but contributed two assists. Phoenix led 75-48 when the rookie came out with 2:37 remaining in the quarter.
Dallas Wings coach Chris Koclanes did not even bother to send Bueckers back into the game. He kept his prized point guard on the bench as the home team rolled to a comfortable 102-72 win.
Paige Bueckers ties worst-shooting clip in blowout loss to Phoenix Mercury
Paige Bueckers shot 53.7% in her past 10 games heading into the rematch against the Phoenix Mercury. In the previous two encounters against the same opponent, she made a staggering 21 of 30 shots for 70.6%.
On Monday, the Mercury finally have had enough, limiting her to 3-for-11 shooting, tied for the worst mark in her career. Bueckers had the same inefficient night on May 21 against the Minnesota Lynx, owners of the WNBA's best defense. Minnesota also held her to a 3-for-10 output in her regular season debut.
The Mercury's pressure defense eventually worked because Bueckers' teammates could not capitalize on their open looks. Phoenix did not hesitate to send help on defense due to the absence of sharpshooting guard Arike Ogunbowale.
Bueckers can try to bounce back from a rough-shooting night when the Wings visit the Chicago Sky on Wednesday.