BROOKLYN, NY - AUGUST 05: Paige Bueckers 5 of the Dallas Wings controls the ball during the game against the New York Liberty on August 5, 2025 at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York. Photo by Rich Graessle/Icon Sportswire WNBA, Basketball Damen, USA AUG 05 Dallas Wings at New York Liberty EDITORIAL USE ONLY Icon25080515439
BROOKLYN, NY - AUGUST 05: Paige Bueckers 5 of the Dallas Wings controls the ball during the game against the New York Liberty on August 5, 2025 at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York. Photo by Rich Graessle/Icon Sportswire WNBA, Basketball Damen, USA AUG 05 Dallas Wings at New York Liberty EDITORIAL USE ONLY Icon25080515439
With the whistle going off and the Dallas Wings celebrating their staggering season-opener win, Paige Bueckers probably knew that she owed Shai Gilgeous-Alexander one.
The final verdict of this season’s most-anticipated game was the Wings blowing away the Indiana Fever by 107-104. But apart from her 20-points, Bueckers added the offseason insights she took from the OKC star.
“I want to work on my left hand… get to the free throw line more,” the Wings’ star admitted in early January, revealing what she wanted to add to her game. “So, lowkey a little foul bait, but also the Shai [Gilgeous-Alexander] shoulder bump into my midrange pull up.”
The 24-year-old established herself as a scoring machine as early as her rookie season, where she set a single-game scoring record of 44 points and averaged 19.2 PPG. But the W’s 5th leading scorer didn’t make many trips to the FT line.
But she knew where to look, and the NBA’s second-most free-throw attempter was her inspiration. And seeing the 3-of-6 FTs Bueckers landed against the Fever, needless to say, the learnings paid off decently.
With an elite 80% FG shooting, 33.3% 3P, and a solid 50% FTs, Bueckers opened her 2026 W season. And given the FT shooting she showed in the Unrivaled, the W should gear up for what’s coming.
Paige Bueckers Won the $50,000 Free Throw Prize
Bueckers' uncanny ability to slow down any fast-paced game with her poise and precision was lethal enough. But then she added Shai’s signature shoulder bump in her game. And the result was the $50,000 gift money.
Across the Breeze BC’s first five games, the 24-year-old nailed 13-of-13 free throws. Initially, it required the players to appear in at least 3 games and attempt 6 free throws, minimum. And the winner would be the one with the biggest percentage.
Bueckers winning the 3V3 league’s FT challenge was the subtle foreshadowing of what she’d be doing in the WNBA. Moving forward, what do you think her next game would look like? Comment it down.
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Written by
Deblina Roy
Edited by
Souvik Roy