Paige Bueckers late onslaught falls short, LA Sparks top Wings
DALLAS — Paige Bueckers, the Dallas Wings’ electrifying rookie, turned heads last night with a performance that screamed star power, even as her team fell just short in a 97-96 heartbreaker against the Los Angeles Sparks at College Park Center. The 23-year-old guard poured in a game-high 29 points, dished out 5 assists, grabbed 4 rebounds, and swatted a block, shooting an efficient 12-of-21 from the field. It was the kind of night that had fans buzzing and statisticians scrambling.
Bueckers etched her name deeper into WNBA history, becoming the fastest rookie to reach 500 points and 100 assists in just 27 games. She also broke Odyssey Sims’ franchise record for most assists by a rookie, hitting 143 early in the game and finishing with 146. “She’s a problem out there,” Sparks forward Dearica Hamby said postgame, shaking her head. “The way she gets downhill, creates for others—it’s tough to stop.”
The Wings trailed by 16 in the fourth, but Bueckers refused to let the game slip away. She spearheaded a furious rally, slicing to the rim for a layup and setting up JJ Quinerly for a clutch three with 15 seconds left to pull within one. With the crowd roaring, Bueckers’ final three-point heave at the buzzer grazed the rim but wouldn’t fall. “We fought hard, but it stings,” Bueckers said, her voice steady despite the loss. “I’m not here for stats. I want to help us win.”
The Sparks leaned on Kelsey Plum’s 28 points and Hamby’s 20 points and 10 boards, feasting on 15 offensive rebounds and 19 points off turnovers to hold on. For the 9-25 Wings, Bueckers’ 18.4 points, 5.4 assists, and 4.0 rebounds per game are a beacon of hope. As she gears up for Sunday’s clash with the Las Vegas Aces, one thing’s clear: Bueckers is already a force—and she’s just getting started.
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