Paige Bueckers On Atlanta Dream Rematch: ‘Nobody’s The Same Team’

ARLINGTON, Texas — Paige Bueckers said the Dallas Wings aren’t the team the Atlanta Dream beat twice in May. She spoke Tuesday, a day before the teams meet again.

“I think we’re a completely different team. We’ve grown so much individually and collectively as a team. They’ve gotten better too,” Bueckers said. “Nobody’s the same team they were in, I think, Game 2 and Game 6 that we’ve talked about.”

The Dream won 77-72 in Arlington on May 12. Three weeks later they won again at home, 86-69.

Those were Dallas’ second and sixth games of the season. Wednesday will be the 28th.

Atlanta leads the all-time series 31-20. The Wings haven’t beaten the Dream since July 24, 2025.

Atlanta’s Backcourt

Allisha Gray leads the Dream at 19.1 points a game. Rhyne Howard is next at 17.6, and her 60 steals are the most in the WNBA. Jordin Canada has 199 assists, second in the league.

Bueckers was asked how she approaches all three.

“It’s tough because they’re all different,” she said. “Obviously, Leish is a left-handed driver who gets downhill but can also shoot. Rhyne is similar, right-handed, can shoot, but plays at her own pace. Jordin is a dynamic playmaker who can also score and really pushes the pace for them.”

Howard plays 34.8 minutes a night, more than anyone in the league. Gray is fourth at 33.0.

“They have so many weapons, including players coming off the bench,” Bueckers said. “You have to know your personnel, know each player’s tendencies, understand that great players are going to score, and just try to make everything as difficult as possible.”

The Offensive Glass

Angel Reese has 126 offensive rebounds this season. Nobody else in the WNBA has 90. She’s averaging 15.4 points and 11.5 rebounds.

Naz Hillmon grabs 4.6 a game in just under 30 minutes. Brionna Jones has played twice, with 8.0 rebounds in 15.5 minutes.

General manager Curt Miller drafted Jones eighth overall for the Connecticut Sun in 2017. He was asked Monday how different Atlanta looks now.

“I’m obviously biased because I drafted Bri Jones, and I know how important she is to what Atlanta does,” Miller said. “Having her back completely changes that team.”

Jones spent eight seasons in Connecticut before signing with Atlanta last year. She’s a four-time All-Star and made the All-Defensive Team in 2021.

Bueckers was asked how Dallas crashes the defensive glass without giving up the other end.

“I think it’s about being smart and always having one person back who’s ready to stop transition, protect against the rim run and pick people up,” she said. “Defensively, I think all five players can rebound. It’s hard for one person to box out Angel, Bree Jones or Naz and still come up with the rebound.”

Jessica Shepard leads the league at 11.9 rebounds a game. She’s had a double-double in seven straight, the longest streak in the WNBA this season.

“Rebounding is really a team effort,” Bueckers said. “It comes down to having the will and the want to do it. We’ve got to force the issue there.”

When To Push And When To Slow Down

Bueckers is averaging 20.9 points, 4.2 rebounds, and 6.2 assists. She’s shooting 51.8% from the field and 38.5% from three. At the line, she’s at 87.2%.

Only three players log more minutes.

In each of her last five games, she’s had at least 15 points, four rebounds, and five assists. No one in the WNBA has a longer active streak.

She was asked how she decides when to speed the game up.

“If we haven’t gotten into a good set in a while or haven’t scored for a couple possessions, maybe it’s time to slow it down and make the defense work,” Bueckers said. “Sometimes it’s also about how fast the game has been and whether we need to catch our breath.”

Odyssey Sims and Maddy Siegrist come off the bench behind her.

“Our team likes to play fast. I think Odyssey and Maddy do a really good job off the bench pushing the pace and getting out in transition,” Bueckers said. “I kind of play at my own pace, so I’m still working on recognizing when to push and when to slow things down.”

Dallas has 17 games left.

“We’re focused on being present, winning today at practice, winning shootaround tomorrow, then winning each possession in tomorrow’s game,” Bueckers said. “Regardless of what the next 17 games look like, we want to go game by game, possession by possession, and let the results take care of themselves.”

Tip-off Wednesday is 7 p.m. CT at College Park Center. USA Network has it nationally. KFAA carries it locally.