Dallas Wings rookie joined Caitlin Clark in WNBA history against Phoenix Mercury

Aziaha James joined an elite company with her performance on Thursday night.

Jun 27, 2025; Dallas, Texas, USA; Dallas Wings guard Aziaha James (10) and guard Paige Bueckers (5) during the game between the Dallas Wings and the Indiana Fever at the American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images / Jerome Miron-Imagn Images

The Dallas Wings picked up a 98-89 win over the Phoenix Mercury on Thursday night, giving them 5 wins in their last 7 games, a much-needed turnaround after a 1-11 start. They were also to do so with four rookies in the starting lineup, the first team to start four rookies in a game since the Minnesota Lynx did so in 2000, their second season as a franchise.

Paige Bueckers was fantastic, as she's been for most of the season, putting up 23 points, 5 assists, and 4 rebounds while shooting an efficient 8/11 from the floor. However, it was another rookie who stole the show in that game.

READ MORE: Basketball legend decides between Caitlin Clark and Paige Bueckers

Jul 3, 2025; Arlington, Texas, USA; Dallas Wings guard Aziaha James (10) reacts against the Phoenix Mercury during the first half at College Park Center. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images / Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images

Aziaha James led the Wings with 28 points on 10/20 shooting, adding 6 rebounds and 6 assists. She started the game a perfect 7/7 with 20 points at halftime. She was also 5/9 from the three-point line, leading the game with the most three-pointers made.

With that performance, James joined Caitlin Clark (who did it three times), Sabrina Ionescu, Breanna Stewart, and Diana Taurasi as the only rookies in WNBA history to have a game of 25+ points, 5+ assists, 5+ rebounds, and 5+ made threes in a game. That is a tremendous company to be in for James, and could be a sign of things to come for the rookie from NC State.

What a night for the @DallasWings rookie! 👏

Aziaha James WENT OFF for a career-high 28 PTS, 5 3PM, 6 REB, & 6 AST vs. the Mercury.

She became the 5th rookie in WNBA history to post a 25+ PTS, 5+ AST, 5+ REB, and 5+ 3PM game—joining Caitlin Clark (3x), Sabrina Ionescu, Breanna… pic.twitter.com/vXWTLDRRq1

— WNBA (@WNBA) July 4, 2025

Bueckers has gotten close to hitting this mark. Against the Phoenix Mercury on June 11th, when she had 35 points, 6 rebounds, 5 made threes, but fell one assist short with 4. One more assist would've put her with this elite company, and that's been her only game with more than two made three-pointers so far this season.

READ MORE: Paige Bueckers gets brutally honest about WNBA's physicality

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