Paige Bueckers made headlines at Unrivaled after pulling off an upset against her Dallas Wings teammate, Arike Ogunbowale. But nothing could have prepared her for what came next. When facing six-time WNBA All-Star, Chelsea Gray, many expected PB to advance, especially given her elite mid-range game. But that wasn’t how it played out. 

Instead, it was Gray dominating the matchup, defeating Bueckers 11–2. The 2025 WNBA Rookie of the Year, who once scored 44 points against the Los Angeles Sparks for a career-high night, struggled offensively. 

She shot just 1-for-6 from the field (16.7%). Gray, meanwhile, went 4-for-9 (44.4%) and controlled the pace. The LV Aces guard also had the edge from beyond the arc, knocking down one three-pointer while Bueckers went 0-for-0.

Even at the FT line, Gray converted her lone attempt, while PB missed hers. However, the rebounding battle was close. Gray grabbed six defensive boards. Bueckers secured five of her own.

Still, Gray’s efficiency proved decisive. She advanced to the semifinals, while Bueckers was eliminated from the race for the $200,000 prize. Despite the setback, good news may be on the horizon for Bueckers.

A Potential Reunion in Dallas?

According to ESPN’s latest mock draft projections, Azzi Fudd is projected to be the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 WNBA Draft. UConn is chasing its seventh perfect season in program history, and Fudd has been a major reason why the 26–0 Huskies remain undefeated.

She is averaging 17.5 points per game while shooting 45.5% from three-point range. With the Dallas Wings holding the projected No. 1 pick, there’s a strong possibility Bueckers and Fudd could reunite at the professional level.

Such a pairing would benefit Dallas. They’ve already got 2025 All-Star Paige. Combining Fudd’s ability to stretch defenses can translate well to the WNBA.

She is also a dependable defender. Add in her UConn pedigree, and the Wings could take a significant step toward championship contention. But the question is whether that reunion will become a reality?

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Written by

Yashika Dutta