It did not take long for Dallas Wings guard Paige Bueckers to prove she is truly ready for the playoffs.
It was Bueckers' first time in the playoffs, as the Wings visited the Golden State Valkyries at Chase Center on Sunday in Game 1 of their first-round matchup. Dallas returned to the postseason after a two-year absence.
In their first possession, Bueckers drained a three-pointer from the top of the key off a simple set to announce her presence.
The 24-year-old star has been clear about her goal to lead the Wings to the playoffs after failing to qualify during her rookie year. Even the season-ending knee injury of Dallas guard Azzi Fudd did not faze Bueckers, who averaged 20.9 points, 4.1 rebounds, 5.9 assists, and 1.0 steals in the regular season.
As of this writing, the Wings are trailing the Valkyries in the second quarter. Bueckers is off to a hot start, tallying 17 points on 7-of-8 shooting, including 2-of-2 from long distance. She also had five rebounds.
More details to come.