The Golden State Valkyries shut down Dallas Wings guard Paige Bueckers, taking the 91-80 WNBACommissioner's Cup victory in Wednesday's Wings vs Valkyries game.
Bueckers finished with 15 points on 5-of-13 shooting as rookie guard Azzi Fudd also suffered shooting struggles. She finished the night with just 10 points on 4-of-13 from the field.
Golden State's physical defense disrupted the rhythm of both Dallas playmakers throughout the game.
Paige Bueckers, Azzi Fudd Stats Slump in Wings vs Valkyries Loss
The WNBA Commissioner's Cup clash turned physical late, as Bueckers and Valkyries guard Veronica Burton collided while diving for a loose ball. Burton — a former Wings WNBA draft pick — answered with an all-around performance, recording 11 points, eight rebounds, and five assists.
Beyond limiting Paige Bueckers, Golden State also benefited from Dallas going cold from deep. The Wings could not find their range behind the arc, particularly during a rough second quarter. Azzi Fudd in particular faced a 3-point skid, going 2-5 on the night.
The WNBA Commissioner's Cup result extends Golden State's winning streak while leaving Dallas searching for consistency.
Without reliable outside shooting to complement Bueckers, the Wings face a familiar problem heading into their next stretch of regular-season WNBA games. They face the Chicago Sky on Saturday at 8 PM ET, live on CBS.
