rewrite this content and keep HTML tags (remove this from content : rewrite this content and keep HTML tags)
Sue Bird’s warning to Paige Bueckers and other rookies of a step learning curve came to fruition in the Dallas Wings’ 112-78 loss to A’ja Wilson and the Las Vegas Aces
Sue Bird’s warning to Paige Bueckers came true in the latter’s WNBA preseason debut.
Bueckers was one of the most highly-touted prospects heading into the 2025 WNBA season, with the star being drafted No. 1 overall after leading UConn to a record 12th women’s basketball national championship. With the Wings retooling around Bueckers, it appeared as if Dallas was preparing for a run at the playoffs this season.
However, if the Wings’ 112-78 loss to A’ja Wilson and the Las Vegas Aces was any indication, Bueckers has quite a learning curve to overcome. During an appearance on Flau’jae Johnson’s ‘Best of Both Worlds’ podcast, Bird explained what Bueckers and other rookies should expect in their first season.
READ MORE: Scottie Scheffler goes wild on PGA Tour after honest Jordan Spieth commentsREAD MORE: NBA icon tells Lakers to move on from LeBron James if they want to win another title
“In college, you don’t lose a lot… so you’ve kind of got to adjust to the losing, if I’m being honest,” Bird admitted, per Sports Illustrated. “This is so cliche, don’t get too high with the highs, too low with the lows, all that stuff. But it’s really true when it comes to the losing, because you’re going to lose more than you ever have in your life. This is just a part of it.”
And Bueckers quickly got a taste of losing. Although it was just a preseason match between the Wings and Aces, the two-time WNBA champions showed what Bueckers can expect in the league, with stars Jackie Young (28), Chelsea Gray (13) and Jewell Loyd (10) all scoring in double figures.
Meanwhile, the Wings’ star rookie chipped in 10 points on 4-of-7 shooting from the field, 2 of 3 from 3-point land, to go along with four points, one assist and three fouls. Though Bueckers showed off her signature touch with the ball, there were times when it appeared as if she was playing timidly, which is to be expected in her first preseason game.
During her in-game interview, the 23-year-old admitted that she and the rest of her teammates are learning each other’s tendencies, especially with such a large turnover compared to last season. “I mean, we’re just trying to get out in transition,” she began.
“We need to play better transition defense, but trying to play a faster pace on offense, get earlier shots in the shot clock, stay aggressive.
“The Aces are getting to the paint, drawing fouls, so we’re trying to do that on offense as well. But, I mean, it’s the first game of the season, first game of us all playing together. We’ve got three returners, so we’re learning every single possession.”
And growing pains are to be expected for Bueckers and the Wings, especially as the rookie becomes more acclimated with how players in the league operate and how she can better utilize her abilities for success.
Get Peacock starting at $7.99
$7.99
Peacock
Subscribe Here
Looking for more to watch? Peacock has hit shows, movies, live sports, and more. You can watch popular titles like Wicked and The Traitors, along with Premier League matches and live golf all in one place. Peacock offers plans starting at $7.99 a month and you can cancel anytime.
Bird, the Seattle Storm legend, understands that for Bueckers and other star rookies, understanding the room for error is part of the learning curve they have to adjust to.
“The margin of error is much smaller, so I think mentally, preparing for every game… there’s no mid-majors that you’re going up against, like ‘Oh, I know we’re going to win by 40.’ It doesn’t exist,” she concluded.
Bueckers and the Wings’ next outing will be on May 10 against the Team Toyota Antelopes from the Women’s Japan Basketball League.
