Friday night promises to be electric as the Dallas Wings take on the Indiana Fever at the American Airlines Center, a venue that dwarfs the Wings' usual home court in Arlington.
All eyes will be on Caitlin Clark and Paige Bueckers, the two No. 1 picks from the 2024 and 2025 drafts, respectively. Their presence has invigorated the WNBA, drawing new fans and significantly boosting ticket sales in their cities.
In response to the growing excitement, the Wings opted for the AAC, which accommodates over three times the number of fans compared to College Park Center. Tickets for this highly anticipated game are already sold out at the AAC box office, with secondary market prices ranging from approximately $120 to over $1,000 for premium seating. The game is set to tip off at 7:30 PM CT.
As of now, the Wings sit at 12th in the league standings while the Fever hold the 7th position. This matchup isn't their first encounter; they previously clashed during their college careers. In the 2021 Sweet Sixteen, Bueckers led UConn to a decisive 92-72 victory over Clark's Iowa team, showcasing her talent with a near-triple-double.
Fast forward to the 2024 Final Four, where circumstances had shifted dramatically. Bueckers was returning from a torn ACL, while Clark had emerged as a household name known for her deep shooting range. Iowa, as the No. 1 seed, narrowly defeated UConn 71-69 in a thrilling contest.
The two stars also shared the court as teammates during the 2019 FIBA Under-19 Women's Basketball World Cup in Bangkok, where Bueckers shone brightly, leading Team USA to victory and earning MVP honors.
Recently, Bueckers made headlines by becoming the fastest player in WNBA history to reach 200 points and 50 rebounds. She currently leads all rookies in scoring with an average of nearly 18 points per game, alongside 4.7 rebounds and 5.8 assists.
Her scoring prowess was on display when she hit double figures in a recent game against the Atlanta Dream, who are ranked fourth in the league.
Meanwhile, Clark has faced challenges with her long-range shooting on the road but remains a formidable opponent. Averaging just over 18 points, 5.0 rebounds, and an impressive 8.9 assists per game, she ranks second overall in assists.
Clark is also leading fan voting for next month's WNBA All-Star Game, further solidifying her status as a key player to watch.
