It was written all over Paige Bueckers’ face.
The Wings’ star was visibly broken up after Dallas’ season ended with a 77-73 Game 3 loss to the Valkyries in the first round of the WNBA playoffs in Golden State on Friday night.
Dallas blew a 16-point second-half lead.
The 2025 first-overall pick struggled in the contest, scoring just 17 points on 4-of-14 shooting with six assists and one rebound.
She sat red-eyed and distraught at the table during the postgame press conference.
Bueckers was clearly struggling with the loss, stopping mid-answer to be comforted by teammate Arike Ogunbowale, who scored 30 points, when asked about the team’s progress since last season.
Seventh-seeded Dallas went 27-17 this year after going an abysmal 10-34 the year prior with Bueckers as a rookie.
“I think just our selfless nature and how much we enjoyed coming to work,” Bueckers said before pausing to compose herself.
“It’s alright,” Ogunbowale told her before putting a hand on Bueckers’ shoulder.
The former UConn star then buried her head in her towel on the desk and appeared to break down crying for a short period.
Despite Bueckers’ playoff struggles – averaging just 16 points per game – Ogunbowale praised her play this season, calling her a generational player who carried them throughout the regular season.
Bueckers later paid the compliment back, touting Ogunbowale for the leadership and welcoming her with open arms as the team’s veteran leader.
“We feed off each other; this is someone I ride for on and off the court,” Bueckers said. “Obviously, you saw in the playoffs we wouldn’t be where we are without her.”
The Valkyries, who saw coach Natalie Nakase collapse during the fourth quarter of Game 3, advance to the semifinals to face the defending champion Aces.
