Paige Bueckers scored 22 points to lead the Dallas Wings to an 89-76 victory over the Toronto Tempo on Sunday in the Wings’ first WNBA appearance in Canada this season. The game took place at Toronto’s Coca-Cola Coliseum, drawing a large crowd that included many fans of both former University of Connecticut stars now playing professionally.
Bueckers, the first overall pick in the 2025 WNBA draft, received strong support from the Dallas fans, who gathered hours before tipoff to greet her and 2026 first-overall draft pick Azzi Fudd, who added 17 points for the Wings. The Dallas team arrived amid enthusiastic cheers from supporters waving and calling out to the players as they exited the team bus.
The Tempo, dealing with injuries and coming off a week-long layoff since their last game on June 27, struggled to keep pace. Marina Mabrey led Toronto with 19 points and five assists after missing one game due to neck spasms. Nyara Sabally contributed 14 points, while Isabelle Harrison added 13.
Dallas quickly established control, at one point leading by 14 points in the first half. Toronto fought back to narrow the gap to five by halftime, fueled by Mabrey’s deep shooting and aggressive drives to the basket. However, the Wings maintained their edge throughout the second half, negating the need for Bueckers to deliver a late-game surge.
Bueckers, known for her dynamic scoring and playmaking, showcased her skills with several highlight-worthy moves, including weaving through defenders for a basket beneath the hoop. The star guard has been in strong form recently, scoring 25 points over her previous three games and securing a starting spot for the upcoming WNBA All-Star Game scheduled for July 25 in Chicago. She received the highest number of fan votes among all players, reflecting her rising prominence in the league.
Toronto coach Sandy Brondello praised Bueckers as a "generational talent" who continues to improve and make decisive plays for her team. The Tempo’s loss dropped their record to 9-11, while Dallas improved to 13-8 with the win.
Prior to this professional appearance, Bueckers had also played in Toronto during her collegiate career when UConn faced Toronto Metropolitan University in an exhibition game. On Sunday, Bueckers acknowledged the significance of the fan support she received, comparing it to her own childhood experiences attending Minnesota Lynx games as a fan.
The Wings will look to build on their momentum as they continue their schedule, while the Tempo focus on regrouping after a tough home loss against a deep Dallas squad.