Throughout Paige Bueckers’ career, comparisons to Diana Taurasi have been common due to their shared history at UConn and under coach Geno Auriemma, as well as the lofty expectations placed on both players entering the WNBA. However, Alyssa Thomas of the Phoenix Mercury has voiced her opposition to this narrative, emphasizing that each player brings a unique style to the court. Thomas made these remarks prior to a July 2025 matchup where her Mercury decisively defeated Bueckers’ Dallas Wings 102-72. Thomas recorded a triple-double, while Sami Whitcomb added a 36-point haul to secure the comprehensive victory.

In an interview with Jenna Ortiz ahead of the game, Thomas responded to the widespread Bueckers-Taurasi comparisons with clear conviction.

“I mean, I don’t like to compare anybody,”

Thomas said.

“I think everybody brings their own flare to it. Paige has her own style to it, especially as a rookie. She plays so poised, calm, and knows how to get to her spots.”

These opinions reflect a broader debate within the WNBA community, where Taurasi herself has recently likened Bueckers more to Indiana Fever’s 2024 Rookie of the Year, Caitlin Clark, rather than to her own game. Despite this, fellow UConn alumnae and Taurasi’s close friend, Sue Bird, has expressed disagreement with those direct comparisons.

Paige Bueckers Discusses Her Connection with Diana Taurasi

In the July 2025 contest against the Mercury, Bueckers struggled offensively, scoring 11 points with three assists and two rebounds over 24 minutes. The Wings were unable to mount an effective offense in the 30-point defeat. Despite the setback, Bueckers’ response to questions about her relationship with Taurasi highlighted a strong support system. When asked if she had consulted Taurasi for guidance adapting to the professional league, Bueckers shared insights into their ongoing connection.

“Yeah, just obviously having that UConn connection, I’ve been knowing her since my career there. And she just, we have each other’s phone number. She’s just open and willing to talk to me whenever, if I have questions, if I need advice, um, just if I’m seeking her wisdom, um, she’s always there and she’s a big, big supporter of me,”

Bueckers said.

She further expressed her appreciation for the mentorship, stating,

“So I’m never taking that for granted, and I’m never not going to take advantage of that, having that relationship. So I really look up to her, and I’ve looked up to her since I was young, and so I’m grateful to have that relationship,”

confirming the importance of Taurasi’s influence in her early career.

The Dallas Wings’ Playoff Prospects and Bueckers’ Role

The Dallas Wings currently find themselves in a challenging position in the WNBA standings, holding just six wins out of 20 games and ranking 11th overall. Despite that, the team has exhibited some resilience by evenly splitting wins and losses over their past 10 matches. As they gear up to face the Chicago Sky on Thursday, the Wings face mounting pressure to improve their performance to maintain any realistic playoff aspirations.

As a rookie, Paige Bueckers carries significant expectations to lead the Wings through this difficult stretch. Whether she will emerge by fully embracing her own distinct playing style or continue to be evaluated through comparisons with veteran stars like Taurasi will be closely watched by fans and analysts alike. Alyssa Thomas’ insistence on recognizing each player’s unique talents underscores the evolving landscape of the WNBA and the importance of allowing rising stars to define their individual legacies.