Paige Bueckers Scores 20 as Wings Beat Kaitlyn Chen, Valkyries for 2nd Win of Season

The Dallas Wings snapped a seven-game losing skid with an 80-71 win over the Golden State Valkyries on Tuesday night.

Wings rookie Paige Bueckers scored a team-high 20 points — her third game with 20 or more — and filled out the stat sheet with four rebounds, two assists, four steals and two blocks.

It was a balanced performance from the No. 1 overall pick, one in which she showed she's a disruptive defender in addition to being a dynamic scorer and playmaker.

Arike Ogunbowale chipped in with 19 points, five boards, six dimes and three steals. The four-time All-Star also drilled one of the biggest shots of the night when her long-range jumper gave Dallas a five-point cushion with 3:32 on the clock in the fourth quarter.

Dallas won this game with defense and physicality. It held Golden State to 40.7 percent shooting and forced 16 turnovers, which it turned into 18 points at the other end of the court. The Valkyries also got out-rebounded 40-27 and allowed 14 offensive boards.

The Wings' schedule gives them an opportunity to build some much needed momentum as they try to revive their already sinking playoff hopes.

Dallas has a quick road trip ahead against the Connecticut Sun and Washington Mystics. Connecticut fell to 2-9 with an 88-71 loss to the Indiana Fever on Tuesday, while Washington has cooled off a bit after opening the season with back-to-back wins.

It's too early to write off the season entirely for the Wings. The Atlanta Dream clinched the eighth seed with 25 losses in 2024.

But Chris Koclanes' squad can't afford to throw away winnable games like the two ahead.