The Wings fell 104-80 at Chase Center on Sunday, with Golden State taking control after a 37-11 second quarter. Paige Bueckers faced constant pressure from Gabby Williams, Veronica Burton, and the Valkyries’ defensive unit, which consistently crowded her driving lanes and forced difficult shots.
Bueckers scored 21 points in her WNBA playoff debut, but the Wings struggled to generate much offense around her in Game 1 against the Valkyries.
After the game, Bueckers made an honest admission about how difficult Golden State made things for Dallas offensively.
“I mean, all my buckets are tough,” Bueckers admitted postgame. “They make it extremely hard. They show shrinks, they have people in gaps, they show multiple bodies, they blitz, they make every shot tough—so nothing about tonight was easy. And their defense, like I said, has always been their calling card.”
“All my buckets were tough. They make it extremely hard… Nothing about tonight was easy.”
Paige Bueckers on the Valkyries’ defense after Golden State’s dominant playoff win over the Wings
(via @joseph_dycus)pic.twitter.com/JilmhZhSTJ
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) September 28, 2026
The two-time WNBA All-Star also credited the Valkyries’ head coach Natalie Nakase for establishing a defensive identity that does not change regardless of the opponent or score.
“I’ve been around Coach Nat enough to know that her team is always going to be prepared and give you their best shot defensively,” Bueckers added. “So I know she’s not pleased even though they gave up 80 points. I know every single night against them is going to be [tough].”
Despite the loss, Bueckers was highly efficient. She shot 9-of-10 from the field, 2-of-2 from three and 1-of-1 from the free-throw line. She also finished with six rebounds, two assists and one steal in 25 minutes.
Her 21 points were one shy of the Wings’ franchise record for points in a postseason debut.
Dallas now faces elimination in Game 2 at College Park Center on Wednesday, September 30. Tip-off is scheduled for 8:00 p.m. ET.
The post Wings’ Paige Bueckers makes ‘tough’ admission on Valkyries’ Game 1 defense appeared first on ClutchPoints.
