Rookie Paige Bueckers of the Dallas Wings scored a career-high 44 points to lead her team to a 98-92 victory over the Los Angeles Sparks at Crypto.com Arena on Wednesday night.
Bueckers’ performance set a new WNBA 2025 season high and broke the rookie single-game scoring record, previously held by Candace Parker with 40 points in 2008.
She shot 17-of-21 from the field, including 4-of-4 from three-point range and 6-of-6 from free throws, while adding six rebounds, four assists, and two steals in 36 minutes. She became the first WNBA player to score 40-plus points with over 80% field goal accuracy.
Dallas trailed by 10 points in the third quarter, but Bueckers led a fourth-quarter comeback, scoring 15 points and hitting a clutch three-pointer with 1:12 remaining. Kelsey Plum scored 26 points and Dearica Hamby added 18 for Los Angeles, but they could not contain Bueckers.
The Wings improved to 10-27, snapping a two-game losing streak. Los Angeles fell to 17-19, half a game behind the Seattle Storm for the final playoff spot. Other key contributors for Dallas included Maddy Siegrist with 16 points and JJ Quinerly with 10 points and seven assists.
Bueckers has now scored double digits in 29 consecutive games, reached 500 career points faster than any WNBA rookie, and set the Wings’ rookie assist record earlier this month. Wings coach Chris Koclanes said, “Paige was unstoppable tonight. Her ability to take over while keeping her teammates involved is what makes her special.”
Her performance drew praise on social media, highlighting her efficiency, leadership, and potential as Rookie of the Year.
