Dallas Wings’ coach Chris Koclanes called out referees for failing to protect rookie star Paige Bueckers during a physical 90-81 loss to the Golden State Valkyries.

Everything is going wrong for the Dallas Wings in the last couple of games. First, the Wings faced elimination from the WNBA playoff picture along with the Chicago Sky. Now, there’s no end to growing physicality against Paige Bueckers, and ignored calls on top of that.

Having faced so much in his first season as a coach, Chris Koclanes didn’t hold back his true feelings after referees ignored calls for Bueckers. In the post-game presser, he put it all on the officiating for the game’s outcome.

Wings Coach Calls Out Refs For Ignoring Calls On Paige Bueckers

The Wings lost 90-81 to the Golden State Valkyries on their latest meetup. During the game, Bueckers’s rookie surge stumbled against a tightening defense. That left the rookie coach visibly frustrated, not just with his team’s fifth straight defeat but also with what he saw as a glaring issue: the officiating of star rookie Paige Bueckers.

Koclanes passionately called out the referees, arguing that Bueckers, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2025 WNBA Draft, was not getting the protection she deserved on the court.

“The whistle wasn’t going our way, and then I see Paige get run over on a box out. How many times does she have to be on the ground before she gets protection? I had to step in and show our players I have their back. I hoped it would be a momentum changer, but Golden State responded with timely threes,” Koclanes said.

 

However, Bueckers, a standout guard known for her electrifying play, had a tough night against the Valkyries. She finished with just nine points on 3-of-12 shooting, snapping her 30-game streak of scoring in double digits. Not to forget mentioning it was the longest ever by a WNBA rookie guard. It all came in addition to Bueckers outshining Caitlin Clark’s rookie year with a WNBA record.

Despite her off night, Bueckers dished out nine assists. Though she did create opportunities for her teammates even under heavy defensive pressure. But it was the physicality she faced that had Koclanes fuming.

Paige Bueckers Off Night Adds To Controversial Officiating This Season

After the last game, Koclanes’ frustration boiled over during the game when he picked up a technical foul in the fourth quarter after arguing a missed call on a box-out play involving Bueckers.

Koclanes felt the referees were allowing excessive contact against his star player. According to him, she was repeatedly driving into the paint only to return empty-handed with uncalled fouls. However, the officiating debate isn’t new for Bueckers. Earlier in the season, Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham criticized referees for what she called an overly favorable whistle for Bueckers.

Now, Koclanes argues the pendulum has swung too far the other way. The physical defense Bueckers faced against Golden State, including double and triple teams, limited her scoring but highlighted her resilience.

However, the Wings’ struggles go beyond officiating. With a 9-29 record, injuries to key players like Arike Ogunbowale, Li Yueru, and JJ Quinerly have left the roster thin. Despite five players scoring in double figures against the Valkyries, Dallas couldn’t overcome Golden State’s 16 three-pointers.