The anticipation surrounding Paige Bueckers' WNBA debut with the Dallas Wings has been a major storyline in the 2025 season. Bueckers, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2025 WNBA Draft, has drawn considerable attention, and her early performance has been closely watched. Even before her first WNBA game, Minnesota Lynx star Napheesa Collier, a fellow UConn alum, shared her admiration and excitement for Bueckers' arrival in the league.
Collier's connection to Bueckers goes beyond their shared alma mater. She expressed genuine happiness for Bueckers, praising her as a "great person and player". Collier highlighted Bueckers' work ethic, her ability to score at all levels, and her impressive vision as a point guard, especially for someone who had yet to play professionally. "First of all, her work ethic...the way that she's already a three-way player...especially as a point guard, being able to score at all levels, and then her vision um really impressive especially for someone who hasn't played professionally. yet," Collier said.
Before the Wings' season opener against the Lynx, Collier revealed that she had texted Bueckers, wishing her good luck but also playfully warning her not to "do too much" against her team. "I texted her like 'Good luck tonight don't do too much against us you wait till your next game,'" Collier shared.
Collier also reminisced about playing alongside Bueckers on a USA Basketball team, noting that even as a high schooler, Bueckers was the best player on the team. "Actually, I did play with Paige," Collier said. "She was in high school, for USAB. We had a high schooler, a college player and two WNBA players, and she was the best player on the team". This early experience solidified Collier's admiration for Bueckers' talent and her desire to play with her again.
The WNBA All-Star game, held in Indianapolis, further highlighted the connection between Collier and Bueckers. A video of a playful one-on-one session between the two went viral, showcasing their camaraderie and competitive spirit. Both were selected as All-Stars, with Collier captaining one of the teams. Bueckers started the All-Star Game with a bang, hitting a four-point shot. Ultimately, Team Collier secured a decisive victory, with Collier earning the MVP award. Bueckers contributed six points and eight assists to the winning effort.
In their first regular-season matchup on July 13, 2025, the Indiana Fever defeated the Dallas Wings. Clark recorded 14 points and 13 assists, while Bueckers had 21 points, four rebounds, and four assists. Despite Clark's team winning, she acknowledged Bueckers' quick adaptation to the WNBA.
Off the court, Collier has voiced concerns about the increasing toxicity among WNBA fans, cautioning that it could negatively impact the league's growth. She highlighted the "hatred" directed towards players and urged for unity within the basketball community.
