How to watch Lynx at Wings: Paige Bueckers' WNBA debut vs. mighty Minnesota

New York Times

16-05-2025

Welcome to the main stage, Paige Bueckers. Her first WNBA game with the Dallas Wings is a particularly tough one — last year's Minnesota Lynx were a bounce or two away from claiming the WNBA Finals, and this year's group should be just as formidable, especially on defense. Still, one of the brightest stars in all of sports pens an opening verse for her professional career. The Friday night hype is absolutely justified.
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There are no weak links for these Lynx. Napheesa Collier is the reigning Defensive Player of the Year and finished second in MVP voting. Perennial perimeter threat Kayla McBride shot better than 40 percent on 3s at a career-high volume. Courtney Williams is still in her bag and still happy to be a dog. Cheryl Reeve has coached four title teams and three additional conference champs.
Minnesota will be the comfortable favorite in this game. Two of our three women's hoops experts have them winning it all this fall. With that acknowledged, a lot of folks will fixate on the Wings for this one. Bueckers carries supernova, landscape-altering potential. She may need time to adjust to WNBA pace and physicality, but her recent NCAA Tournament transcendence garnered fans across the world. That first buttery crossover into successful jumper will be a dopamine rush for the whole viewing public, Lynx loyalists included.
Dallas has put Bueckers' rookie year in good care. Arike Ogunbowale has earned MVP votes in each of her six seasons. Two new acquisitions should ameliorate 2024's worst-ranked defense — NaLyssa Smith brings rebounding from Indiana, and DiJonai Carrington is a switchable wing that came on strong in Connecticut.
Best player to wear both jerseys: Katie Smith, a Hall-of-Famer with four All-WNBA seasons in Minnesota.
Sabreena Merchant's power rankings:
Minnesota (No. 2) — 'Diamond Miller began last season as the Lynx's starting two guard. Three games in, the 2023 No. 2 pick got injured, and she was supplanted in the starting lineup by Bridget Carleton for the rest of the season. Miller appeared in only six of Minnesota's 12 playoff games, exclusively in garbage time and failing to exceed one minute of playing time in any contest. As the Lynx attempt to avenge their Game 5 loss in the 2024 finals, Miller is one of their best hopes for improvement. She applies more rim pressure than any other Minnesota guard as her drives add a different element to the Lynx's jumper-heavy offense.'
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Dallas (No. 10) — 'The Wings have a glut of quality backcourt options, and their main perimeter concern will be what combinations to use among Paige Bueckers, DiJonai Carrington, Ty Harris, Aziaha James and Arike Ogunbowale. Within that grouping is all of the creation, shooting and defense Dallas needs. The frontcourt, on the other hand, is less certain. NaLyssa Smith and Teaira McCowan started Dallas' lone preseason game against a WNBA opponent, and that defensive tandem simply isn't good enough in this league. Although Myisha Hines-Allen is small for a center, she reads the floor well and knows how to position herself. If she can provide defensive integrity, Dallas will shoot up the rankings. However, players currently being prioritized limit the Wings' upside.'
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(Photo of Paige Bueckers: Sam Hodde / Getty Images)