---
title: "Bueckers’ 11-point fourth quarter sparks Wings past Sun 86-83"
description: "Paige Bueckers’ clutch fourth-quarter surge leads Dallas to a narrow WNBA win over Connecticut, keeping playoff hopes alive."
url: https://sportopod.com/en-US/cluster/paige-bueckers-scores-11-of-her-25-points-in-the-4th-quarter-90a26956
published: 2026-07-03T06:12:52.8+00:00
updated: 2026-07-03T06:12:52.8+00:00
author: "Kostadin Stamboliev"
publisher: "Pineido"
site: "Sportopod"
language: en
topics: ["basketball"]
---

# Bueckers’ 11-point fourth quarter sparks Wings past Sun 86-83

> Paige Bueckers’ clutch fourth-quarter surge leads Dallas to a narrow WNBA win over Connecticut, keeping playoff hopes alive.

Paige Bueckers delivered a signature performance, dropping 25 points to lead the Dallas Wings past the Connecticut Sun 86-83 on Thursday night.

Eleven of those points came in the fourth quarter, where her clutch scoring kept Dallas ahead in a tight playoff race.

Jessica Shepard contributed 14 points in the victory, stabilizing the Wings’ offense alongside Bueckers.

The game was a back-and-forth battle, with neither team leading by more than six points at any stretch.

The Wings trailed by as many as five in the third quarter before Bueckers’ offensive explosion tied the game late in the fourth.

A key defensive stop by Teaira McCowan sealed the win, forcing a critical turnover with under a minute left.

Connecticut’s A’ja Wilson led the Sun with 28 points and 12 rebounds, but Dallas’ balanced attack outlasted them.

The Wings improved to 18-12 on the season, staying in the hunt for a top-four playoff seed in the competitive Western Conference. "Paige’s poise in those moments is what separates her," said Wings coach Vicki Mitchell. "She’s our leader when it counts, and tonight was no different." What's next: The Wings head to New York next Tuesday to face the Liberty in a primetime matchup that could further define their playoff positioning.

A win would tighten their grip on a top-four spot.

## Why this matters

Bueckers’ late-game heroics underscore her role as Dallas’ go-to star in must-win games, keeping the Wings alive in a crowded playoff race. The victory highlights her clutch gene and the team’s resilience, while also setting up a pivotal showdown with the Liberty that could shape their postseason fate.

## Frequently asked

### How many points did Paige Bueckers score in the fourth quarter against the Connecticut Sun?

Paige Bueckers scored 11 points in the fourth quarter of the Wings’ 86-83 win over the Connecticut Sun.

### Who was the top scorer for the Connecticut Sun in that game?

A’ja Wilson led the Sun with 28 points and 12 rebounds in their loss to the Wings.

### What was the Wings’ record after this victory?

The Dallas Wings improved to 18-12 on the season following their win over Connecticut.

### When is the Wings’ next game and who are they facing?

The Wings travel to New York next Tuesday to face the Liberty in a primetime matchup.

## Sources & Citations

- [Paige Bueckers scores 11 of her 25 points in the 4th quarter, and the Wings beat the Sun 86-83](http://www.espn.com/wnba/recap?gameId=401857035) — ESPN (2026-07-03)

---

Cite: Bueckers’ 11-point fourth quarter sparks Wings past Sun 86-83. Sportopod, 2026-07-03. https://sportopod.com/en-US/cluster/paige-bueckers-scores-11-of-her-25-points-in-the-4th-quarter-90a26956