Paige Bueckers scored 21 points on 90% shooting from the field in her WNBA playoff debut, becoming the first guard in WNBA history to score at least 20 while shooting 90% or better in a playoff debut, according to Real App. Dallas lost 104-80 to Golden State.
Bueckers added six rebounds and two assists, and made both 3-point attempts. She scored 17 first-half points, while Dallas' other four starters combined for 14; Golden State took control with a 37-11 second quarter.
The No. 2-seeded Valkyries entered the playoffs as the WNBA's best defensive team and had beaten Dallas in all three regular-season meetings. Bueckers said Golden State made every basket difficult. Game 2 is scheduled for Wednesday at College Park Center in Arlington, where Dallas can even the series.
