In a remarkable display of skill, Paige Bueckers scored a career-high 44 points in the Dallas Wings’ narrow defeat to the Los Angeles Sparks, losing 81-80 in Los Angeles on Wednesday. This performance not only marked the highest points scored in the league this season but also tied for the 10th most in WNBA history, though it ultimately dashed the Wings’ playoff aspirations.
Bueckers shot an impressive 81 percent from the field and contributed three assists and four rebounds. Despite her dominant effort, the Wings could not secure a victory. Kelsey Plum of the Sparks managed to seal the game with a buzzer-beater, adding 20 points and four rebounds to her team’s score. Cameron Brink supported with 11 points and eight rebounds, while Rickea Jackson led the Sparks with 25 points, propelling them to a critical win.
The Wings now find themselves at 9-27, officially out of playoff contention, while the Sparks improved to 17-18, intensifying the competition for the remaining playoff slots alongside the Seattle Storm and Golden State Valkyries.
In their previous matchup on August 15, Bueckers had already made headlines by setting a franchise rookie record for assists and becoming the fastest rookie in WNBA history to reach 500 points and 100 assists, making this a highly anticipated rematch.
The game began with Luisa Geiselsoder scoring for the Wings from 25 feet out, quickly followed by Bueckers hitting another three-pointer, both assisted by Grace Berger. The early scoring led to a 9-0 run as the Sparks struggled, remaining scoreless for the first five minutes. By the end of the first quarter, Bueckers had amassed eight points, while Brink contributed five.
Entering the second quarter, the Sparks capitalized on the momentum, quickly extending their lead. However, a timeout called by the Wings seemed to ignite their offense, as they rallied back with a 13-0 run to reduce the deficit to 44-37 at halftime, with Bueckers leading the way with 16 points at a 75 percent shooting rate.
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The Wings dominated the third quarter, scoring 29 points while limiting the Sparks to just 15, with Bueckers scoring 15 points during this stretch. This effort gave Dallas a 66-59 lead going into the final quarter.
The Sparks responded fiercely, starting the fourth quarter with a 10-0 run. Bueckers managed to reclaim the lead briefly with a crucial three-pointer, scoring all 14 points for Dallas in a valiant fourth-quarter effort. However, it was Plum’s decisive shot that ultimately thwarted the Wings’ hopes, overshadowing Bueckers’ exceptional night on the court.
