The world of basketball has seen some legendary coaches, but more often than not, a few players end up defining a coach’s career. One clear example is Stephen Curry and Steve Kerr. As Kerr once said, “I’m not being modest, I’m just telling the truth. If I didn’t have Steph, I would have been like every other NBA coach and lasted a few years, and then gone somewhere else and coached somewhere else.” Right now, a similar story might be unfolding in Dallas with Paige Bueckers and Chris Koclanes.
With just 9 wins so far this season, you could argue Paige hasn’t had the same impact Curry did. But rookie seasons are tough—Curry lost 55 games in his first year. Still, Paige has already given enough moments to show she’s out there making her coach better, and Coach Koclanes admits it, too.
“Paige is just so unique. You know there’s a lot on her shoulders, with everyone watching, and she handles it with so much grace. She’s an incredible teammate, always putting the team first, and everything she does is so selfless. As a coach, being able to coach someone like that has, you know, just made me better,” Koclanes said. Just like Paige, who faced the pressure of being the first pick in the draft, Coach Koclanes also carried huge responsibilities as a first-year head coach. And while some might argue he hasn’t fully delivered yet, having a player like Paige has helped him showcase what this Wings team could become in the future.
There have definitely been some standout moments for Dallas this season–and many of them wouldn’t have happened without Paige. Take the incredible 92-82 win over the Liberty, for example. The rookie went 7-of-12 from the field, scoring 20 points while adding 6 rebounds, 4 assists, and 3 steals. And then there’s the unforgettable 98-89 win over the Mercury–a game that truly defined Koclanes’ season so far. With Arkie, DiJonai, Maddy, Tyasha, and NaLyssa out, the Wings pulled off the impossible with a young starting lineup featuring four rookies. PB, JJ, and Aziaha combined for 68 points, 11 rebounds, and 18 assists, showcasing Koclanes’ coaching acumen. Would we have seen that without Paige? That’s for you to decide.
But that doesn’t mean Coach Koclanes isn’t hungry for more wins. And to make that happen, he knows his best player has to keep performing. Ahead of their upcoming game against the LA Sparks, Chris shared a clear message for Paige: “Just pick up right where she left off. Be confident getting downhill and dominating the paint… you know she’ll have some small guards on her at times, and we can get her some touches close to the basket. I just want her to remain confident.”
Dallas Wings head coach Chris Koclanes told me he wants Paige Bueckers to pick up where she left off against the LA Sparks.
Bueckers scored a career-high 29 points against the Sparks last week. pic.twitter.com/xezqXKzZtY
— John W. Davis (@johnwdavis) August 21, 2025
The last time these two teams faced off, Paige dropped a career-high 29 points, but it came on a tough night as she missed the game-winning shot, with the Wings falling by just one point. This has been a rookie season for Paige to remember. She is averaging 18.8 points, 4.1 rebounds, and 5.4 assists per game. She even made history, becoming the fastest rookie in WNBA history to reach 500 points and 100 assists. Her performance will be the key if the Wings hope to take down one of the league’s hottest teams. So, how did she respond to Koclanes’ demand?
Paige Bueckers responds to Chris Koclanes’ demands in style!
Paige was lights out from the opening tip in tonight’s game. She dropped 44 points on an incredible 17-21 shooting, while also grabbing 4 rebounds and dishing out 3 assists. Now, that’s how you respond to a coach’s demand. And as you’d expect, a stat line like this was bound to rewrite the record books.
It was the most points ever scored by a rookie in WNBA history, matching Candace Parker’s record. She also became the first player in league history to drop 40+ points on 80% shooting. On top of that, she now holds the record for the most points scored by any player this season. A true testament to the hard work she’s put in, and proof of why she’s already one of the league’s best, even in her rookie year.
Unfortunately, Paige’s historic night was spoiled once again by the Sparks. This time, it was Kelsey Plum’s buzzer-beater that sealed the deal, handing the Wings another heartbreaking one-point loss, and they are now eliminated from the playoff race. Talk about tough luck. Still, knowing the absolute competitor Paige is, you can bet she’ll come back fired up and ready to go in the very next game. How did you enjoy the Paige Bueckers show tonight? Drop your thoughts in the comments below!