Wings face Aces in first WNBA game at UT's Moody Center: 'There’s no better time than now'

TL;DR

The Dallas Wings faced the Las Vegas Aces in the first-ever WNBA game at UT's Moody Center, drawing a large crowd of fans. Star guard Paige Bueckers expressed excitement about promoting women's basketball in Austin.

Key points

Dallas Wings faced Las Vegas Aces in Austin
First WNBA game at Moody Center
Paige Bueckers promoted women's basketball
Fans lined up for merchandise before the game
Bueckers praised the arena's environment

Mentioned in this story

Paige BueckersMoody CenterUniversity of Texas

Dallas WingsLas Vegas Aces

Dallas Wings guard Paige Bueckers (5) smiles after a play during the second half of a WNBA basketball game against the Phoenix Mercury at College Park Center, Thursday, Sept. 11, 2025, in Arlington. The Wings defeated the Mercury 97-76. (Elías Valverde II/Staff Photographer) AUSTIN — The Dallas Wings took to Austin for their Sunday night preseason clash with the Las Vegas Aces, as women’s basketball fans showed out for the first-ever WNBA game to be played at the Moody Center. Fans started gathering outside of the venue, the home arena of the University of Texas men’s and women’s basketball teams, at least two hours before the scheduled 6 p.m. tip and lined up to purchase Wings merchandise in the lobby. When the Wings met the Aces last preseason, they also battled it out at a college campus venue: Notre Dame’s Purcell Pavilion. "It’s really fun to just spread the WNBA and spread women’s basketball and spread women’s sports in general,” star Wings guard Paige Bueckers said ahead of Sunday’s contest. “There’s no better time than now, so it’s really fun to get out here in Austin.” Bueckers, who met Texas at the Moody Center in December 2023 while still at UConn, had high praise for the venue, where her Huskies fell 80-68 to the Longhorns in that contest two-and-a-half years ago. “I do remember the great environment,” Bueckers said. “The arena’s amazing.”

Q&A

What was significant about the WNBA game at UT's Moody Center?

It marked the first-ever WNBA game played at the Moody Center, highlighting the growing popularity of women's basketball.

Who is Paige Bueckers and what did she say about the game?

Paige Bueckers is a star guard for the Dallas Wings, and she emphasized the importance of promoting women's sports, stating, 'There’s no better time than now.'

How did fans react to the Wings vs. Aces game?

Fans gathered outside the venue hours before the game, showing strong support by lining up to purchase Wings merchandise.