The Dallas Wings secured the eighth and final WNBA playoff spot with a 96-78 victory over the Portland Fire Tuesday night. Star guard Paige Bueckers, the 2025 No. 1 pick, led the team to the postseason for the first time in her career, finishing with 22 points and 11 assists. Dallas (23-16) joins Minnesota, Golden State, Las Vegas, Atlanta, Indiana, New York and Washington in the postseason.

The Fire finish outside the playoffs alongside expansion Toronto, Chicago, Phoenix, Los Angeles, Connecticut and Seattle. This year's roster overhaul, featuring free agent Jessica Shepard and No. 1 pick Azzi Fudd, marked a significant turnaround from last season's 10-34 finish. Jessica Shepard recorded 21 points, nine rebounds and six assists, while Arike Ogunbowale added 17 points.

Forward Awak Kuier contributed 12 points, 12 rebounds and five blocks. Fudd is sidelined for the remainder of the season due to a knee procedure but averaged 13.1 points in 30 games. The WNBA pauses after Sunday's games for the FIBA Women's World Cup in Germany, resuming Sept. 17-24.

Bueckers is on the U.S. roster. Dallas overcame a seven-of-nine slump after the All-Star Game to win three straight and clinch the final spot. "We want to keep building and don't want to get complacent," Bueckers said. "We all knew what we were lacking in that losing stretch, and we talked about it constantly.".