Paige Bueckers’ HISTORICAL Game and How It Was STOLEN by DiJonai Carrington – The Controversial Finish Everyone’s Talking About

June 13, 2025

Introduction

What was meant to be a celebration of Paige Bueckers’ breakout moment in the WNBA quickly turned into one of the most debated endings of the season. The rookie guard for the Minnesota Lynx delivered what should have been remembered as a historic performance—but instead, headlines are dominated by a last-second defensive play by Connecticut Sun’s DiJonai Carrington that left fans stunned, analysts divided, and social media on fire.

So what exactly happened during the final seconds of one of the WNBA’s most intense games of the 2025 season? And did DiJonai Carrington “steal” the moment—or simply make the play of the year?

Paige Bueckers: The Breakout Game We Were Waiting For

Bueckers came into the league with sky-high expectations. After dominating at UConn and overcoming multiple injuries, her WNBA debut season has been a gradual build-up—until this night.

Facing one of the league’s top defensive squads, Bueckers exploded for:

32 points
9 assists
4 steals
Zero turnovers

She put on a clinic in shot creation, tempo control, and midrange excellence. Analysts were ready to crown it her “I’ve arrived” game. Teammates and fans were already celebrating a career-defining win—until the final possession.

The Final Play: How DiJonai Carrington Changed the Narrative

With 8.7 seconds left on the clock, the Lynx held a one-point lead. Bueckers had the ball in her hands—where it belonged. A simple inbound, a dribble to space, and a foul-drawing attempt would have sealed the win. That was the plan.

Enter DiJonai Carrington.

As Bueckers crossed midcourt, Carrington pressured hard—far higher up the court than expected. With 3.2 seconds left, she poked the ball loose, dove to the floor, and secured the steal, calling a timeout as the Lynx bench erupted in protest.

On the next possession, Carrington hit the game-winning layup on a broken inbound play, sealing the Sun’s 88–87 comeback win.

“She made a hell of a play,” said Bueckers postgame, clearly stunned. “But… that’s not how I saw this ending.”

Was It a Foul?

Almost immediately, fans and analysts questioned the no-call.

Slow-motion replay showed significant forearm contact as Carrington reached in—an angle that went viral within minutes. Even former players and referees chimed in.

“Any other moment, that’s a foul,” tweeted a retired WNBA referee. “But the refs let them play when it matters most.”

Others defended the no-call:

“That’s just elite defense,” said Carrington in postgame interviews. “I knew she wouldn’t expect pressure that high. I went for it—and it paid off.”

The Fallout: Reactions Across the League

Fans React

On social media, #FreePaige trended within 30 minutes. Supporters called the ending “robbery” and accused the refs of denying a rookie her rightful moment.

Others, especially Sun fans, praised Carrington for her clutch instincts and fearlessness.

Coaches Speak Out

Lynx coach Cheryl Reeve walked the line carefully:

“We’ll send the film in. That’s all I’ll say.”

Sun head coach Stephanie White called it a “textbook defensive stop” and praised Carrington’s motor and timing.

A Narrative Shift: From Bueckers’ Brilliance to Carrington’s Heroics

What should have been a headline about a rookie star’s 30+ point game became a debate about physical defense, officiating, and clutch playmaking.

In one moment, Carrington went from defensive anchor to game-winner—completely flipping the postgame narrative.

But that doesn’t erase Bueckers’ brilliance. In fact, it might have just written the first chapter of one of the league’s most compelling rivalries.

What’s Next for Bueckers and Carrington?

Expect both players to meet again with something to prove.

Bueckers will be hunting for consistency, but also redemption.
Carrington, already respected for her defense, just elevated her reputation to game-closer status.

Their next matchup is already circled on calendars.

Conclusion

In a league full of rising stars and nail-biting finishes, Paige Bueckers and DiJonai Carrington just gave us one of the season’s most unforgettable endings. Whether you see it as a blown call or a clutch steal, one thing is clear: neither player is backing down—and the next time they share the court, sparks will fly again.

Stay tuned. This rivalry might just be getting started.