Connecticut
Paige Bueckers wins again in Connecticut, leads Dallas Wings past the Sun
UNCASVILLE, Conn. ― Chalk up another win for Paige Bueckers at the Mohegan Sun.
The former UConn Husky led the Dallas Wings past the Connecticut Sun, 86-83, on Friday. She improves to 2-0 in WNBA games at the Mohegan Sun, following the Wings’ first win of the season on May 28.
Bueckers’ perfect record goes back further to her time with the Huskies, winning all 15 games she played here in college.
“It’s fun coming back here every single time, they’ve always shown so much love to me and it’s been a state that’s done a lot for me,” Bueckers said after the game. “It’s always amazing to come back and to get another win here, continue to keep building on we’ve been doing as a team and keep striving for better.”
Bueckers scored 21 points and dished out seven assists to help the Wings secure back-to-back wins for the first time this season, coming off their nine-point victory over the Golden State Valkryies on Tuesday.
“We learned a lot through this game,” Bueckers said. “It was a full team-victory, so that was fun to play that way.”
Tina Charles had a game-high 26 points and six rebounds, her second 25+ point performance of the season, both times occurring against the Wings.
UNCASVILLE, CONNECTICUT – JUNE 20: Tina Charles #31 of the Connecticut Sun shoots against Kaila Charles #3 of the Dallas Wings during the first half of a WNBA basketball game at Mohegan Sun Arena on June 20, 2025 in Uncasville, Connecticut. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Joe Buglewicz/Getty Images)Getty Images
Connecticut has lost its last five games in a row, with this loss dropping the team to the bottom of the league’s standings. With a challenging, four-game Western Conference road trip ahead of the Sun, the Sun need to play with desperation to end this streak.
“I just hope (we) get tired of losing and (we) become more competitive,” Charles said. “… everybody’s thinking about what less they can do (and) what more they can do to build up the person next to them, to think less of themselves and what’s best for this possession.
“That’s just character, just how you handle adversity. So God-willing, we can turn it around… (but while) it may not look like a win versus (the) Valkyries or Vegas or Seattle, but it’s just how we’re losing. I can handle losses, I’ve had a bunch in my career, but it’s just how it’s happening and effort that’s needed.”
Aneesah Morrow scored 10 points off the bench and grabbed seven rebounds, dishing out three assists and earning a block in 19 minutes. Jacy Sheldon was the only other Sun in double figures, scoring 10 points on a perfect four-for-four from the field including a pair of threes.
Saniyah Rivers was especially impressive on defense in the opening quarter. Her ball denial on Bueckers forced two turnovers by the Wings and she also recorded two blocks as well, clipping a jump shot from former Connecticut Sun guard DiJonai Carrington before swatting a jumper from Arike Ogunbowale’s later in the first.
UNCASVILLE, CONNECTICUT – JUNE 20: Saniya Rivers #22 of the Connecticut Sun blocks the shot from DiJonai Carrington #21 of the Dallas Wings during the first half of a WNBA basketball game at Mohegan Sun Arena on June 20, 2025 in Uncasville, Connecticut. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Joe Buglewicz/Getty Images)Getty Images
Rivers nabbed another steal before the night was through and knocked down a pair of threes as well, finishing with eight points in a well-rounded performance by the former Wolfpack.
“We know her versatility, (Rivers) can play both sides of the court and this kind of action can be a game changer sometimes for us,” Sun coach Rachid Meziane said.
Despite coming off the bench in her last two games, Rivers has still played over 20 minutes in each of her 10 appearances this season. Morrow’s delayed start to her rookie season seems to also be in the rearview mirror, playing over 15 minutes in three of the last four games.
Shooting just 33.33% from the field through her first eight games, Morrow has found her touch around the rim, scoring 10 or more in her last two games, including a 16-point performance in Wednesday’s loss to the Phoenix Mercury.
UNCASVILLE, CT – JUNE 20: Aneesah Morrow #24 of the Connecticut Sun drives to the basket as DiJonai Carrington #21 of the Dallas Wings plays defense during the game on June 20, 2025 at the Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Connecticut. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2025 NBAE (Photo by Chris Marion/NBAE via Getty Images)NBAE via Getty Images
“I’m not the kind of coach (to) just give gifts to players,” Meziane said. “If they play these minutes, it’s because they deserve those minutes.
“I’m happy for (Morrow and Rivers), I’m happy for the franchise too because they represent the future for us. If we can accelerate the growing process — we have to win somewhere. I feel that with Saniya and Aneesah right now, we are winning something.”
The Connecticut Sun (2-11) will face the Golden State Valkyries next on Sunday, Jun. 22 at 8:30 p.m. ET.