What happened: Paige Bueckers scored Dallas' first points after taking a pass from Jessica Shepard in the opening action of the Phoenix-Dallas postseason game. The matchup aired on CBS and Paramount+ as part of the 2026 WNBA postseason slate.

Why it matters: Dallas opened through Paige Bueckers again after recent games have leaned on her scoring and playmaking. Shepard's assist also showed Dallas starting with a familiar creator-finisher pairing in a postseason setting.

What to watch: Watch whether Dallas keeps running offense through the Shepard-Bueckers connection as the game settles in. Phoenix's early coverage on Bueckers should shape the next stretch.