UNCASVILLE, Conn. (AP) — Paige Bueckers had a triumphant return to Connecticut by scoring a career-best 21 points as Dallas won its first game of the season, beating the Sun 109-87 on Tuesday night.
Bueckers, the No. 1 pick in the WNBA draft, shot 8 for 10 from the field and finished with seven assists and five rebounds.
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Connecticut Sun's Saniya Rivers (22) puts up a basket from under Dallas Wing's DiJonai Carrington (21) during a WNBA basketball game Tuesday, May 27, 2025, in Uncasville, Conn. (Sarah Gordon/The Day via AP)
Connecticut Sun's Olivia Nelson-Ododa (10) and Dallas Wing's Arike Ogunbowale (24) reach for a jump ball during a WNBA basketball game Tuesday, May 27, 2025, in Uncasville, Conn. (Sarah Gordon/The Day via AP)
Dallas Wing's Paige Bueckers reacts to a foul during a WNBA basketball game against the Connecticut Sun, Tuesday, May 27, 2025, in Uncasville, Conn. (Sarah Gordon/The Day via AP)
Connecticut Sun's Jacy Sheldon (4) throws a pass past Dallas Wing's Paige Bueckers (5) during a WNBA basketball game Tuesday, May 27, 2025, in Uncasville, Conn. (Sarah Gordon/The Day via AP)
Dallas Wing's Paige Bueckers takes an outside shot on basket during a WNBA basketball game against the Connecticut Sun, Tuesday, May 27, 2025, in Uncasville, Conn. (Sarah Gordon/The Day via AP)
Bueckers remained perfect at Mohegan Sun Arena, where the Sun play their home games. She went 15-0 at the building in college while playing for UConn, including winning four Big East championships with the Huskies. Many of her former teammates were in attendance Tuesday night.
She received a loud ovation from the sellout crowd when introduced before the game, and many fans were wearing her No. 5 jersey from UConn and Dallas.
Bueckers got Dallas (1-4) going early with seven points and four assists in the opening quarter as she was aggressively attacking for baskets or finding opening teammates.
Connecticut (0-5) led by one at the end of the first quarter, however, thanks to the play of Bria Hartley and Tina Charles. Dallas took over behind Bueckers in the second and led 56-42 at the half.
Arike Ogunbowale took over in the third quarter, scoring 15 points in the period after having only two in the first half. She helped the Wings build their lead to 88-74 heading into the final period.
Connecticut never threatened after that, and Bueckers left for good with just over four minutes left in the game.
Tina Charles led the Sun with 27 points and Marina Mabrey added 19.
The game also marked the return of former Sun players DiJonai Carrington and Ty Harris, who were traded to the Wings in the offseason. The two received a warm ovation from the crowd when they were introduced before the game and a welcome back video played on the scoreboard.
Carrington finished with 16 points and Harris was scoreless, but had three assists.
AP WNBA: https://apnews.com/hub/wnba-basketball
Connecticut Sun's Saniya Rivers (22) puts up a basket from under Dallas Wing's DiJonai Carrington (21) during a WNBA basketball game Tuesday, May 27, 2025, in Uncasville, Conn. (Sarah Gordon/The Day via AP)
Connecticut Sun's Olivia Nelson-Ododa (10) and Dallas Wing's Arike Ogunbowale (24) reach for a jump ball during a WNBA basketball game Tuesday, May 27, 2025, in Uncasville, Conn. (Sarah Gordon/The Day via AP)
Dallas Wing's Paige Bueckers reacts to a foul during a WNBA basketball game against the Connecticut Sun, Tuesday, May 27, 2025, in Uncasville, Conn. (Sarah Gordon/The Day via AP)
Connecticut Sun's Jacy Sheldon (4) throws a pass past Dallas Wing's Paige Bueckers (5) during a WNBA basketball game Tuesday, May 27, 2025, in Uncasville, Conn. (Sarah Gordon/The Day via AP)
Dallas Wing's Paige Bueckers takes an outside shot on basket during a WNBA basketball game against the Connecticut Sun, Tuesday, May 27, 2025, in Uncasville, Conn. (Sarah Gordon/The Day via AP)
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)
