Napheesa Collier starred in the Lynx win, but Dallas was still enamored with the newest UConn star in the WNBA.

When you hear the name Paige Bueckers, most people think of the basketball star who led the UConn Huskies to the national title in April and made her WNBA debut on Friday in the Dallas Wings’ 84-99 loss to the Minnesota Lynx.

Folks already know about Caitlin Clark's popularity, but the WNBA might have discovered its newest television ratings bump in 2025 top overall draft pick Paige Bueckers. According to a report from Front Office Sports,

Paige Bueckers is set to make her highly anticipated WNBA regular-season debut. Expectations are high for Bueckers, who was picked by the Dallas Wings No. 1 overall in the 2025 draft after an impressive collegiate career at UConn.

In 30 minutes during the 99-84 Minnesota road win, Bueckers finished with 10 points on just 3-of-10 shooting from the floor and 4-of-4 shooting from the foul line, seven rebounds, and two assists, plus a -19 plus-minus.

Still working to draw more interest, the WNBA has heavily marketed young talent such as Bueckers, Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese to carry their star power over from college. But if the Wings’ home opener was any indication, that’s not something that happens overnight.

Bueckers scored the first points of the season for the Wings, and the No. 1 overall pick in this year's draft finished with 10 in front of announced sellout.

The WNBA season officially returns Friday night, and excitement is at an all-time high—especially as the Dallas Wings face off against the Minnesota Lynx in a game that marks the professional debut of No.