Overview

• Bueckers was briefly cleared, then ruled out just before tipoff due to illness, and Dallas fell to another loss that left the team at 9–30 and out of playoff contention.
• Her 44-point performance on over 80% shooting made her the first WNBA player to top 40 points with that level of efficiency, anchoring her award candidacy.
• ESPN’s latest under-25 ranking placed Caitlin Clark No. 1 and Bueckers No. 2, extending comparisons as analysts noted Clark’s higher assist numbers and playoff run with Indiana.
• Peers and team voices praised Bueckers’ poise and playmaking, with Aliyah Boston and Sophie Cunningham offering public respect and Dallas teammate Maddy Siegrist and coach Chris Koclanes lauding her leadership.
• Media coverage became a storyline as Awful Announcing argued her season has been underplayed and commentators questioned a WNBA attendance graphic featuring Bueckers even as the Fever drew a league-leading 577,979 fans.