​Paige Bueckers just accomplished something no WNBA guard has done in 16 years, and the milestone adds a new chapter to her rapidly expanding breakout season with the Dallas Wings. Originally published on The Sporting News, this recap highlights how the 2024 lottery pick is turning heads beyond mere scoring totals, elevating her status as a legitimate MVP candidate while fueling one of the league’s biggest early-season surprises.
On Friday night in Montreal, Bueckers delivered the best scoring performance of her short pro career, posting 34 points along with six rebounds and six assists as Dallas toppled the Toronto Tempo 108-95. The win extended the Wings’ winning streak to four games, the longest stretch they’ve enjoyed this season. More than the number itself, the performance underscored the all-around impact Bueckers has had on Dallas’s turnaround, marking her as a catalyst for what could be a transformative year for the franchise.
Her 34-point effort also added another notable milestone to her growing résumé: she became the fastest guard since 1999 to reach 450 points and 100 assists in a season. That pace underscores not just her scoring ability but also her playmaking and efficiency, reinforcing the impression that she is a dynamic, multi-faceted threat who can influence games on multiple fronts. Those attributes have become central to the Wings’ positive trajectory, as Dallas has emerged as one of the league’s most surprising teams and climbed to a respectable fourth place in the standings despite early-season skepticism.
The chatter around Bueckers has grown louder in tandem with her on-court accomplishments. Veteran broadcaster Cindy Brunson weighed in on X, noting the historical drought in MVP awards for guards since Tamika DT Monique (DT) in 2009, and suggesting that Bueckers could be the player who ends that drought once A’ja Wilson’s current dominance eventually shifts. It’s a sentiment that more observers are starting to echo as Bueckers continues to deliver at a high level. Over her past five games, she has averaged 24 points, five rebounds, and six assists while shooting 54 percent from the floor. Those numbers illustrate a player who is not only scoring efficiently but also distributing the ball effectively and making high-leverage plays in key moments. It’s the kind of production that has Dallas rising in the race for playoff positioning and has opponents taking notice.
The Wings’ late-game composure in the Montreal contest helped seal the win after Mabrey kept pace with Bueckers, finishing with 34 as well. Dallas used disciplined defense and timely offense to control the game’s final stretch, demonstrating depth and resilience that could carry them well beyond the regular season if Bueckers maintains this level of play. The attendance mark for the game—nearly 21,000 fans at Montreal’s Bell Centre—also added a historical layer to the night, marking the largest crowd to attend a regular-season WNBA game in the city and highlighting the growing reach and appeal of the league.
Looking ahead, the season remains long, and the MVP conversation will continue to swirl around Wilson’s still-dominant form and other top contenders. Yet as Dallas keeps stacking wins and Bueckers continues to produce at a near-elite level, the discussion surrounding the Wings’ star feels likely to intensify. If she can sustain this pace and maintain Dallas’s winning ways, the narrative surrounding Paige Bueckers could shift from promising rookie to proven franchise cornerstone, and to a credible threat to end the long-standing MVP guard drought that Brunson and others have referenced.
Beyond Bueckers’ individual milestones, the Wings’ ascent signals a broader shift in the league’s balance of power. Dallas’s early-season success has challenged expectations and given fans a glimpse of what the team can become when a young guard with elite skill pairs with mature, complementary pieces. As the season unfolds, all eyes will remain fixed on Bueckers: her continued production could redefine the Wings’ ceiling and, perhaps, shape the MVP conversation in meaningful ways as she develops into one of the league’s most exciting and influential players. The road ahead promises more high-scoring nights, more clutch plays, and a growing belief that Paige Bueckers is not only part of the Wings’ present but also a central figure in the WNBA’s evolving narrative.