Paige Bueckers finally returned to Connecticut, as her Dallas Wings visited the Connecticut Sun on Friday. It was an emotional game for her, as her former UConn Huskies teammates, led by Azzi Fudd, Kamorea Arnold, and more, visited her as they hugged it out before the big game. Fudd and Arnold were even wearing Bueckers’ No. 5 Wings jersey to the game.
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Among the UConn stars who welcomed her back were Jana El Alfy, Morgan Cheli, Gandy Malou-Mamel, and Ayanna Patterson. All of them were photographed hugging it out with the returning Bueckers, who put on a show during her big Connecticut return.
Geno Auriemma, who also watched her previous game against the Golden State Valkyries, was also present during the game to see his former player shine.
Dallas won that game, but it was a close one, with a final score of 86-83. There were 12 lead changes and 10 ties, with Bueckers escaping her Connecticut homecoming with a big road win, She finished the game with 21 points, seven assists, and two rebounds, shooting 36% in the second half because of the Sun’s stifling defense.
The former UConn Husky did get in trouble during the second quarter, getting the first technical foul of her young WNBA career. She made a baseline jumper late in the first half, but wanted a foul called against a defender. She clapped into official Charles Watson’s face and called out “And one!” but soon got the technical foul for unsportsmanlike conduct.
“I clapped twice and I said ‘And one!’ And he said I clapped in his face. So, that’s all.” Paige Bueckers said after the game.
Fans loudly welcomed Paige Bueckers back to Connecticut
It was Paige Bueckers who helped lead the UConn Huskies to the NCAA national championship in April last year, and this is something many in the state would never forget. When she made her homecoming of sorts to the Mohegan Sun Arena, the Connecticut crowd made it known that they still love her despite her playing for Dallas now.
Loud ovation for Paige Bueckers in the Dallas Wings’ starting lineup introduction at Mohegan Sun Arena. pic.twitter.com/qieDyR7aIp
— Grant Afseth (@GrantAfseth) June 20, 2025
Despite the win, however, the Dallas Wings have been struggling a lot all season, only improving their record to 3-11. This victory is also their first winning streak of the season, and this is sparking some hope that Paige Bueckers could help turn things around for the Wings.
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