Paige Bueckers gave Dallas everything she had — and then some.
The rookie phenom lit up the LA Sparks for a WNBA rookie record 44 points, scoring Dallas’ last 13 in a breathtaking one-woman takeover that nearly dragged the Dallas Wings past the finish line.
But Kelsey Plum had the final word.
Plum banked the game-winning shot as the final buzzer sounded and the Sparks’ spoiled Bueckers’ historic outing thanks to a cardiac 81-80 escape.
Winner winner, wings for dinner. 🍗
— Los Angeles Sparks (@LASparks) August 21, 2025
Trailing 80-79, Plum used a high screen from Dearica Hamby to get into the lane for a left-handed floater that banked in before she was surrounded by Rickea Jackson and Rae Burrell in celebration.
KELSEY PLUM GAME WINNER 🔥🔥🔥
— WNBA (@WNBA) August 21, 2025
At the last second KP gets the runner to go to secure the 81-80 win over Dallas!
DAL-LAS | League Pass
The one-time champion finished with 20 points while Jackson topscored LA (17-18) with 25 markers.
KP in her bag and calling game. 🧊
— Los Angeles Sparks (@LASparks) August 21, 2025
20 PTS | 4 REB
Despite the loss, Bueckers scored the most points by a player in a single game in the WNBA this season and tied Cynthia Cooper’s 28-year-old record for most points in a game by a first-year player.
She also moved past Cooper for the third-longest streak of consecutive double-digit scoring games by a rookie in WNBA history with 29 — a record held by reigning MVP A’ja Wilson of the Las Vegas Aces with 33 games.
Paige Bueckers with a night FOR THE AGES 👑
— WNBA (@WNBA) August 21, 2025
?? Most points by a rookie in WNBA history
?? First player in league history with 40+ on 80%+ FG
?? Highest scoring game this year
FINAL STATS VS. LA: 44 PTS, 17-21 FGM (81%), 4 REB#WelcometotheW
The Wings (9-27) turned it over after winning the ensuing jump ball and Aziaha James missed a corner 3-pointer with about 20 seconds left to give Los Angeles the final shot.
It marked a third straight loss for Dallas, which is now eliminated from playoff contention alongside the Chicago Sky.
