Paige Bueckers Explodes for Historic 44-Point Night, But It Wasn’t Enough
Sometimes greatness comes wrapped in frustration, and Wednesday night in Los Angeles provided the perfect example. Paige Bueckers absolutely torched the Sparks for 44 points on ridiculous 81% shooting, breaking the WNBA rookie single-game scoring record in the process. She also became the only player in WNBA History to score 40+ points on 80% shooting in a game as well. The problem? Her Dallas Wings still lost 81-80 on a Kelsey Plum buzzer-beater, officially ending their playoff hopes. If that doesn’t sum up the Wings’ season, nothing does.
Paige Bueckers Rewrote the Record Books
Let’s get one thing straight: what Bueckers did Wednesday night was nothing short of spectacular. The former UConn star didn’t just score 44 points; she did it with surgical precision, hitting 17 of 21 shots from the field. To put that in perspective, she became the first player in WNBA history to drop 40-plus points while shooting 80% or better from the field.
The previous rookie scoring record belonged to Cynthia Cooper, who dropped 44 points back in 1997 during the league’s inaugural season. But according to ESPN’s statistical gurus, Cooper’s mark doesn’t officially count as the rookie record because of how the league tracked stats back then. Either way, Bueckers now owns this piece of history outright.
What made this performance even more impressive was how effortless it looked. Bueckers wasn’t forcing shots or hunting for her own offense; the baskets just kept falling. She scored 14 points in the fourth quarter alone, single-handedly keeping Dallas in a game they had no business being competitive in.
The Wings’ Season Ends in Heartbreak
Here’s where the story gets painful for Dallas fans. Despite Bueckers’ heroics, the Wings couldn’t close the deal. They led 66-59 heading into the fourth quarter after outscoring Los Angeles 29-15 in the third. But the Sparks opened the final frame with a 10-0 run that put Dallas on their heels.
Bueckers answered with clutch shots throughout the quarter, but Kelsey Plum had the final word. With seconds left on the clock, Plum buried a runner that broke Dallas hearts and officially eliminated them from playoff contention. The Wings finish the season 9-27, which tells you everything you need to know about how this year went.
It’s almost criminal that a performance this historic came in a losing effort. Bueckers gave everything she had, and it still wasn’t enough. That’s the cruel reality of team sports sometimes.
Breaking Down the Numbers
The stat sheet from Wednesday night reads like something out of a video game. Bueckers’ 44 points came on 17-of-21 shooting, including a perfect 81% from the field. She added four rebounds, three assists, and a steal in 36 minutes of action.
For context, this was the highest-scoring game by any player this WNBA season. The previous high belonged to A’ja Wilson, who had 40 points earlier this year. Bueckers also joined an exclusive company as just the third rookie in WNBA history to score 40 or more points in a game, alongside Candace Parker and the aforementioned Cooper.
What’s even more remarkable is how efficiently she did it. Most 40-point games involve a lot of volume shooting and some ugly possessions. Bueckers never forced the issue – she just kept finding good looks and knocking them down.
The Sparks Spoil the Party
While Bueckers was busy making history, the Sparks were quietly putting together a complete team effort. Rickea Jackson led the way with 25 points, showing exactly why she was considered one of the top rookies coming into this season. Kelsey Plum chipped in 20 points and came up clutch when it mattered most.
Cameron Brink, who’s had her own injury struggles this season, contributed 11 points and eight rebounds in what turned into a crucial victory for Los Angeles. The Sparks improved to 17-18 with the win, keeping their playoff hopes alive in a tight Western Conference race.
The game flow told the story of two different halves. Los Angeles jumped out early, taking a 44-37 lead into halftime behind Jackson’s 17 first-half points. But Dallas responded with that dominant third quarter, led by Bueckers’ explosion.
What This Means Moving Forward
For Bueckers, this performance serves as a statement about what’s coming. The number one overall pick has had a solid rookie season, averaging 18.8 points, 5.4 assists, and 4.1 rebounds per game. But Wednesday night showed she’s capable of taking over games when needed.
The Wings, meanwhile, head into the offseason with plenty of questions. How do you build around a talent like Bueckers? What pieces do you need to add to become competitive? These are the conversations Dallas management will be having all summer.
For the Sparks, this win keeps them in the playoff hunt with just a few games remaining. They’ll face the Phoenix Mercury next Tuesday in what could be a crucial game for their postseason aspirations.
A Silver Lining in Disappointment
Look, losing sucks. Especially when your rookie phenom just put up a historic performance. But if you’re a Wings fan, Wednesday night gave you a glimpse of what the future could look like with Bueckers running the show.
She’s already making franchise history left and right. Earlier this month, she set the Wings’ rookie assist record and became the fastest rookie in WNBA history to reach 500 points and 100 assists. Now she owns the league’s rookie scoring record.
The talent is undeniable. The question is whether Dallas can surround her with enough pieces to turn these individual brilliances into team success. Based on what we saw Wednesday night, Bueckers is more than ready to carry that load.
