Fans React to Paige Bueckers’ Bad News on Wednesday originally appeared on Athlon Sports.
Amid a difficult early schedule for the Dallas Wings, Paige Bueckers–the No. 1 pick in the WNBA draft–got off to a fine start for a team that still needs to go a long way towards bringing together its chemistry and playing style. Bueckers averaged 14.7 points in the month, and ranked fourth in the WNBA with 6.7 assists per game. SHe also grabbed 4.5 rebounds and chipped in with 2.0 steals and 1.0 blocks.
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While those numbers seemed to put her into line for the WNBA’s Rookie of the Month award, there was some surprise when the league instead named Mystics forward Kiki Iriafen (13.9 points, 10.1 rebounds, 0.9 assists) the award winner. Bueckers has been out with a concussion she suffered on May 27, but the injury only cost her one game.
“Washington Mystics forward Kiki Iriafen has been named the Kia WNBA Rookie of the Month, for games played in May,” the league announced on its Twitter/X account.
Wings fans were not happy. One pointed out that Bueckers had been first among rookies in May in points, assists and steals, second in blocks, and first in advanced stats like PER, win shares and offensive rating. “Y’all are such frauds,” the poster wrote.
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Another wrote, “I mean, that’s kinda crazy. Paige Bueckers stats were better but we all know that so we move on. Rookie of the year means more anyways.”
Dallas Wings guard Paige Bueckers (5) reacts after her three point foul against the Connecticut Sun in the first half at Mohegan Sun Arena. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-Imagn Images
Another went with a familiar refrain among Dallas fans, blaming the new coach: “She missed 1 game in May. Perhaps the Dallas staff should think long and hard about why the future of their franchise isn’t better utilized so this wasn’t even a question. Get out of here with the 20% usage and run some plays for her.”
But there was support of the WNBA’s decision, too. Just not from Dallas.
One fan praised the league for not giving the award to Bueckers: “Wow wnba had the balls to get it right . Kiki been playing great every mystics game . She even kept her starting spot wvwn when Aaliyah Edward’s came back.”
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She got recognition from Indiana, too: “Great choice!!! Sincerely Fever Fan.”
And another added: “100% deserved. I saw her play in person last night and she didn’t even look like a rookie!!”
This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 5, 2025, where it first appeared.
