Paige Bueckers in Tears After Horror Show Against Valkyries in Elimination Game

Paige Bueckers and the Wings were beaten 77-73 by the Valkyries.

Paige Bueckers in Tears After Horror Show Against Valkyries in Elimination Game

Paige Bueckers (Image credits - Yahoo Sports)

Paige Bueckers played an instrumental role in helping the Dallas Wings secure a playoff spot this year. It was their first postseason appearance in three years.

Drafted as the number one pick in the 2025 WNBA Draft, Bueckers won the Rookie of the Year award and was named an All-Star in her debut season. After finishing at the bottom of the standings in her rookie season, the Wings finished at seventh place with a 27-17 record this season.

However, her impressive regular-season performances did not translate to the postseason. She impressed in Game 1 against the Golden State Valkyries, but the Wings were blown away, losing 104-80. While they won Game 2 at home, Bueckers never found her footing.

Bueckers, along with Angel Reese and Caitlin Clark, are widely viewed as the new generation of stars capable of taking over from the old guard. The Wings did have some ups and downs during the regular season but were one of the in-form teams heading into the playoffs.

With all eyes on the elimination game, Paige Bueckers struggled to get anything going in Game 3. The Wings were eventually beaten 77-73 at the Chase Center on Friday night. The 24-year-old scored 17 points and shot at just 21% from the field in 38 minutes.

Known for their physical defense, the Wings could not contain the Valkyries in the second half. After taking a seven-point lead into halftime, the Valkyries dominated the fourth quarter to win the decider.

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Fans react to Paige Bueckers’ disappointing display in elimination game against Valkyries

Paige Bueckers was coming off a poor performance in Game 2 despite their overtime victory. She scored just 10 points and shot at 23%. After that disappointing showing, she was expected to play much better in Game 3. Unfortunately, that was not the case on Friday.

After her poor showing, fans quickly reacted across social media.

Her poor showing saw fans criticize her performance in the most important game of the Wings’ season. However, some fans believe that this is a learning experience for her as it’s her first-ever playoff appearance.

Arike Ogunbowale consoled Paige Bueckers after she broke down during her press conference

While Paige Bueckers was a shell of herself in Games 2 and 3, Arike Ogunbowale was a force to reckon with. She was the lone performer on her team after a poor Game 1. She scored 45 and 30 points in Games 2 and 3 but to no avail.

Arike Ogunbowale consoling Paige Bueckers
Arike Ogunbowale consoling Paige Bueckers (Image credits – Yahoo Sports)

Following the loss, Bueckers broke into tears and was consoled by Ogunbowale. The Wings guard cheered Bueckers up with her kind words.

She willed us throughout the regular season.

Arike Ogunbowale in her post-match press conference

Bueckers averaged 20.9 points, 4.1 rebounds, and 5.9 assists and shot 51% from the field in 42 regular-season appearances. Those numbers dwindled in her first postseason appearance as she averaged 16 points and shot at 40% from the field. But in Games 2 and 3, her field-goal efficiency was 22%.

It wasn’t the ending they wanted, but Bueckers and Wings are expected to bounce back strongly next year. Ogunbowale looked like a superstar in the playoffs, and Bueckers will use this loss as a learning curve for the future.

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