Bueckers crosses another first off career list as homecoming leaves Wings with latest loss to Lynx

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Paige Bueckers admired the Minnesota Lynx as a kid not all that long ago, cheering on each of the four WNBA championships that played no small part in her ascension to becoming the first overall pick in the draft last month.

Beating the Lynx might be a different story for Bueckers, whose Dallas Wings have lost to Minnesota twice in the first five days of the season — her WNBA debut in Dallas and her first homecoming game as a pro.

After pitching in 12 points, 10 assists and three steals in an 85-81 loss Wednesday night to a Lynx team that was one win away last year from another title, Bueckers expressed appreciation and optimism about her fledgling career with a bit of relief to have the firsts out of the way.

“Coming back home is really cool and it’s a great experience, but what we’re trying to build and what we’re trying to do from game to game is more important,” Bueckers said.

Bueckers enjoyed prodigious growth on the Twin Cities area courts as she made her way through the youth levels to Hopkins High School, less than 10 miles from downtown Minneapolis, where she was back in action at Target Center — the same floor she won a state high school title on and later played on in the NCAA championship game with Connecticut.

Like so many young girls in the last decade around Minnesota, she adored Seimone Augustus, Rebekkah Brunson, Maya Moore and Lindsay Whalen as the core four led the Lynx to four titles with Sylvia Fowles joining midway through. She had a poster on her bedroom wall of Whalen, who's now an assistant with Brunson on head coach Cheryl Reeve's staff.

“They were everything I aspired to be,” Bueckers said before the game. “They definitely gave me something to work for and admire. To be able to see what you want to be is very important, so I think, growing up, that was a huge part of the reason I wanted to be in this league.”

With dozens of family members, old friends and former teammates in attendance, Bueckers made that a reality Wednesday. She said afterward she's too focused on each possession to have truly felt the familiarity of the arena, but she acknowledged the gravity of the moment of playing for a living for a night in the place she once aspired to become one of those performers.

“You try to put everything in perspective,” Bueckers said. “To see see all the little girls and people in the stands and realize that was you about 10 or 15 years ago, you never take it for granted how blessed you are to be able to play in this league.”

There's clearly a learning curve in place for the first overall pick on a rebuilding team with only three returning players from last season.

Bueckers is 13 for 35 from the floor in three games, after going 3 for 11 on Wednesday. She finally scored late in the second quarter on a 3-pointer against the Lynx and their stingy defense. Her passing was on point, though, as was her hustle. She grabbed a long defensive rebound in the third quarter with a ferocity that caused Lynx guard Karlie Samuelson to knock her to the court as they collided. Reeve screamed, “No, stop fouling!” and immediately pulled Samuelson from the game.

“It’s crazy, the one that I made and the ones that I missed,” Bueckers said, shaking her head. “But I'm just focusing on the next shot and just trying to contribute to winning, whether made or missed shots, trying to impact the game in different ways.”

AP WNBA: https://apnews.com/hub/wnba-basketball

Dallas Wings guard Paige Bueckers (5) dribbles down the court during the first half of a WNBA basketball game against the Minnesota Lynx, Wednesday, May 21, 2025, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)

Dallas Wings guard Paige Bueckers (5) and Minnesota Lynx forward Napheesa Collier (24) watch for a rebound during the first half of a WNBA basketball game Wednesday, May 21, 2025, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)

Dallas Wings guard Paige Bueckers (5) points during the first half of a WNBA basketball game against the Minnesota Lynx, Wednesday, May 21, 2025, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)

Dallas Wings guard Paige Bueckers (5) and Minnesota Lynx forward Napheesa Collier (24) talk during the second half of a WNBA basketball game Wednesday, May 21, 2025, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)

Dallas Wings guard Paige Bueckers (5) looks toward a referee after being called for a foul during the second half of a WNBA basketball game against the Minnesota Lynx, Wednesday, May 21, 2025, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)

NEW YORK (AP) — Thousands of nurses in three hospital systems in New York City went on strike Monday after negotiations through the weekend failed to yield breakthroughs in their contract disputes.

The strike was taking place at The Mount Sinai Hospital and two of its satellite campuses, with picket lines forming. The other affected hospitals are NewYork-Presbyterian and Montefiore Medical Center in the Bronx.

About 15,000 nurses are involved in the strike, according to New York State Nurses Association.

“After months of bargaining, management refused to make meaningful progress on core issues that nurses have been fighting for: safe staffing for patients, healthcare benefits for nurses, and workplace violence protections,” the union said in a statement issued Monday. “Management at the richest hospitals in New York City are threatening to discontinue or radically cut nurses’ health benefits.”

The strike, which comes during a severe flu season, could potentially force the hospitals to transfer patients, cancel procedures or divert ambulances. It could also put a strain on city hospitals not involved in the contract dispute, as patients avoid the medical centers hit by the strike.

The hospitals involved have been hiring temporary nurses to try and fill the labor gap during the walkout, and said in a statement during negotiations that they would “do whatever is necessary to minimize disruptions.” Montefiore posted a message assuring patients that appointments would be kept.

“NYSNA’s leaders continue to double down on their $3.6 billion in reckless demands, including nearly 40% wage increases, and their troubling proposals like demanding that a nurse not be terminated if found to be compromised by drugs or alcohol while on the job," Montefiore spokesperson Joe Solmonese said Monday after the strike had started. "We remain resolute in our commitment to providing safe and seamless care, regardless of how long the strike may last.”

New York-Presbyterian accused the union of staging a strike to “create disruption,” but said in a statement that it has taken steps to ensure patients receive the care they need.

"We’re ready to keep negotiating a fair and reasonable contract that reflects our respect for our nurses and the critical role they play, and also recognizes the challenging realities of today’s healthcare environment,” the statement said.

The work stoppage is occurring at multiple hospitals simultaneously, but each medical center is negotiating with the union independently. Several other hospitals across the city and in its suburbs reached deals in recent days to avert a possible strike.

The nurses’ demands vary by hospital, but the major issues include staffing levels and workplace safety. The union says hospitals have given nurses unmanageable workloads.

Nurses also want better security measures in the workplace, citing incidents like a an incident last week, when a man with a sharp object barricaded himself in a Brooklyn hospital room and was then killed by police.

The union also wants limitations on hospitals’ use of artificial intelligence.

The nonprofit hospitals involved in the negotiations say they’ve been working to improve staffing levels, but say the union’s demands overall are too costly.

Nurses voted to authorize the strike last month.

Both New York Gov. Kathy Hochul and Mayor Zohran Mamdani had expressed concern about the possibility of the strike. As the strike deadline neared, Mamdani urged both sides to keep negotiating and reach a deal that “both honors our nurses and keeps our hospitals open.”

“Our nurses kept this city alive through its hardest moments. Their value is not negotiable,” Mamdani said.

State Attorney General Letitia James voiced similar support, saying "nurses put their lives on the line every day to keep New Yorkers healthy. They should never be forced to choose between their own safety, their patients’ well-being, and a fair contract.”

The last major nursing strike in the city was only three years ago, in 2023. That work stoppage, at Mount Sinai and Montefiore, was short, lasting three days. It resulted in a deal raising pay 19% over three years at those hospitals.

It also led to promised staffing improvements, though the union and hospitals now disagree about how much progress has been made, or whether the hospitals are retreating from staffing guarantees.

Nurses strike outside New York-Presbyterian Hospital, Monday, Jan. 12, 2026, in New York. (AP Photo/Yuki Iwamura)

Nurses strike outside New York-Presbyterian Hospital, Monday, Jan. 12, 2026, in New York. (AP Photo/Yuki Iwamura)

Nurses strike outside New York-Presbyterian Hospital, Monday, Jan. 12, 2026, in New York. (AP Photo/Yuki Iwamura)

Nurses strike outside New York-Presbyterian Hospital, Monday, Jan. 12, 2026, in New York. (AP Photo/Yuki Iwamura)

Nurses strike outside New York-Presbyterian Hospital, Monday, Jan. 12, 2026, in New York. (AP Photo/Yuki Iwamura)

Nurses strike outside Mount Sinai West Hospital, Monday, Jan. 12, 2026, in New York. (AP Photo/Yuki Iwamura)

Nurses strike outside Mount Sinai West Hospital, Monday, Jan. 12, 2026, in New York. (AP Photo/Yuki Iwamura)

Nurses strike outside Mount Sinai West Hospital, Monday, Jan. 12, 2026, in New York. (AP Photo/Yuki Iwamura)

Nurses strike outside Mount Sinai West Hospital, Monday, Jan. 12, 2026, in New York. (AP Photo/Yuki Iwamura)

FILE - A medical worker transports a patient at Mount Sinai Hospital, April 1, 2020, in New York. (AP Photo/Mary Altaffer, File)