Bueckers hot in return, explodes for 35 in loss

PHOENIX -- Satou Sabally had 20 points and 10 rebounds against her former team, Alyssa Thomas added 11 points and 10 assists, and the Phoenix Mercury beat the Dallas Wings 93-80 on Wednesday night to spoil Paige Bueckers' 35-point performance.

Bueckers, who returned after missing four games due to concussion protocol and an illness, made her first six shots of the game and finished 13-of-19 from the field. She became the third rookie in Dallas history to record a 35-point game, joining Arike Ogunbowale (2019) and Odyssey Sims (2014), according to ESPN Research.

But the rest of the Wings combined to go 16-of-48 (33%) from the field.

Despite her career night, Bueckers acknowledged she felt "a little winded" in her return and focused more on what she could improve upon.

"I mean I was coming back from a break and I feel like I could have used my voice more, been more disruptive, crashed the glass more," she said. "So as I get my wind under me, I'll be better in those areas. But like I said, just trying to contribute in other areas and whatever that looks like on any given night and will try to put my full effort toward that."

Kitija Laksa had 14 points and four 3-pointers for Phoenix (7-4). Kathryn Westbeld scored all 11 of her points in the first half, and Lexi Held also finished with 11 points.

DiJonai Carrington added 11 points and eight rebounds for Dallas (1-10). Ogunbowale was just 2-of-10 shooting for 10 points.

Bueckers went 8-of-10 from the field in the first half, with three 3-pointers and three free throws, to score 22 of Dallas' 36 points. Her 35 points topped her previous career high of 21 for an entire game.

Sabally scored 10 of her points in the third quarter as the Mercury led 67-57.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.