Last Friday, I finally crossed something off my bucket list: I went to my very first WNBA game! It was the Indiana Fever vs. Dallas Wings at the American Airlines Center in Dallas — and honestly, I’m still buzzing from the experience.
I bought my ticket months ago, right when they first went on sale. I even braved the dreaded Ticketmaster digital queue to snag one.
At the time, I had a hunch (and so did most WNBA fans) that the Wings would use their No. 1 pick in the WNBA draft to select Paige Bueckers, and if so, this would be her first pro matchup against Caitlin Clark — two of the biggest names in women’s college basketball, now in the big leagues.
Well, I was right — Paige was the top pick, and she was drafted by the Dallas Wings. So this game was everything I hoped for… almost.
The Caitlin Situation
The Fever had played the night before, and it wasn’t clear whether Caitlin would suit up for this one. When I got to my seat and saw the teams warming up, I spotted her — but she wasn’t in uniform or warmups. She wasn’t playing.
Of course I was disappointed — who wouldn’t be? But I was still pretty starstruck just seeing her in person. She was talking to fans, signing autographs, and soaking in the energy of the sold-out arena. For someone I’ve watched on TV for the past couple years, it was surreal seeing her right there.
Paige. Was. ELECTRIC.
The star of the night? Paige Bueckers, hands down. She was absolutely electric on the court. Not only did she look totally at home as a pro, she hit two deep three-pointers from well beyond the arc — the kind of shots that make the whole crowd gasp.
She played with confidence, calm, and that signature cool energy she’s always had. It was such a joy to watch her first season unfold in real-time, and I feel incredibly lucky that this was the game I picked.
A Big Night for Kelsey Mitchell
Another absolute highlight? Kelsey Mitchell (No. 0 on the Fever) had an incredible night, scoring 32 points and really commanding the game.
I’ve loved watching her for a while — she’s such a sharp, powerful player and honestly doesn’t get nearly enough credit in league conversations.
Seeing her go off like that in person? SO satisfying. I was truly happy for her and loved that she got to shine in such a big way.
The Live Energy
The arena was completely sold out — over 20,000 fans — and the energy was wild. While the crowd leaned heavily Wings, I was sitting behind the Fever bench and surrounded by Fever fans.
It was so fun to be part of a cheering section that wasn’t just me yelling at my TV in my apartment and annoying my cat, Blanche.
The Fever ended up pulling off the win, but it wasn’t a blowout. It was a hard-fought game with tons of exciting moments — truly a blast to watch live.
Minor Disappointment: The Merch
One thing that bummed me out? The merch situation. The arena only had Wings gear (which makes sense), but I was hoping for something Paige-specific. Unfortunately, the available gear wasn’t quite my style.
So, in true millennial fashion, I ordered a generic WNBA shirt online from my seat while waiting for the game to start. Problem solved — sort of.
Final Thoughts
This experience confirmed what I already knew: I’m a full-on WNBA fan. I watched almost every game last season, and while I’ve been more selective this year, being at the arena was a reminder of how much I love this league.
I’m already dreaming of my next live game — I’d love to visit Barclays Center and catch a New York Liberty matchup next.
Until then: Go Fever. Go Wings. Go WNBA. 🧡
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