Paige Bueckers made WNBA history with a dazzling 44-point performance, but it wasn’t enough to save the Dallas Wings as Kelsey Plum buried a game-winning floater at the buzzer to lift the Los Angeles Sparks to an 81-80 victory Wednesday night. The rookie guard’s remarkable outing set the single-game rookie scoring record and tied Cynthia Cooper’s 1997 mark for the 10th-most points in league history, but it also officially ended Dallas’ playoff hopes.
Courtside, Oklahoma City Thunder star Chet Holmgren was on his feet for much of the third quarter, wearing his 2025 NBA Champions hat and reacting with excitement to every Bueckers highlight, even rising after a Sparks timeout to applaud her effort.
Oklahoma City’s Chet Holmgren was spotted courtside in Los Angeles, passionately reacting to Paige Bueckers’ historic performance for the Dallas Wings. Holmgren, proudly sporting his 2025 NBA Champions hat, was on his feet for much of the third quarter and even rose in delight after a Sparks timeout, showing just how captivated he was by the rookie guard’s brilliance.
Paige Bueckers breaks multiple records in commanding display
Bueckers was nearly unstoppable, shooting 17-of-21 from the field, including a perfect 4-of-4 from three and 6-of-6 from the line, while adding four rebounds and three assists. She scored all 14 of Dallas’ points in the fourth quarter, including the team’s final 13, and briefly put the Wings ahead 80-79 with a free throw inside the final two minutes.
However, a costly turnover and missed corner three gave Los Angeles one last possession, and Plum converted with 0.5 seconds left, sealing Dallas’ 27th loss of the season and eliminating them and the Chicago Sky from postseason contention.
Despite the heartbreaking result, Bueckers became the first player in WNBA history to record 40 or more points while shooting at least 80 percent from the field, further cementing her place as one of the league’s brightest young stars.
Her previous high of 35 came earlier this season against Phoenix, and Wednesday’s outburst extended her streak of consecutive double-digit scoring games to 29, the third-longest by a rookie behind A’ja Wilson’s record 33.
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The Sparks leaned on balance to counter Bueckers’ brilliance, with Rickea Jackson pouring in 25 points and a career-best six threes, Plum adding 20 points, Dearica Hamby contributing 14, and rookie Cameron Brink chipping in 11 points and eight rebounds.
Los Angeles improved to 17-18, keeping pace in a tight playoff race with the Seattle Storm and Golden State Valkyries, while also extending their dominance over Dallas to eight wins in the last 11 meetings.
For the Wings, Luisa Geiselsoder and Grace Berger helped spark an early 9-0 run, and Bueckers’ 15-point third quarter pushed Dallas to a 66-59 lead heading into the final frame.
Yet, the Sparks opened the fourth with a 10-0 surge, and despite Bueckers’ heroics, the night ended with heartbreak. Dallas, now 9-27, will return home Friday to face the Seattle Storm, while Los Angeles enjoys a short break before hosting the Phoenix Mercury on Tuesday.
Even in defeat, Bueckers’ record-breaking performance and Holmgren’s enthusiastic courtside support marked a defining moment for the league, underscoring the growing star power of women’s basketball.
