Kaela Davis scores 20 in a memorable debut for Dallas

As one of the Dallas Wings’ first-round picks, it comes as no surprise that Kaela Davis would have an immediate impact.

A near-historic WNBA debut, however, was a bit unexpected. The rookie out of South Carolina scored 20 points, to go with four rebounds, four assists, and two steals off the bench as the Wings topped the Mercury, 68-58, in Phoenix in the season opener for both teams.

Six of her points came in the final six minutes as the Wings fended off a Mercury team that would not go away.

This is the second straight year that a rookie scored 20-or-more points in her WNBA debut. Breanna Stewart dropped 23 last year for the Storm, good for third-best all-time.

Davis was the third player that the Wings took in the first round. Dallas also drafted Evelyn Akhator (third) and Davis’s college teammate Alisha Gray (fourth). Akhator sat out with an injured ankle, but Gray had 11 of her own in her debut.

The Wings will play their home opener Saturday evening against Minnesota.