The longer term is vivid for Dallas Wings guard Paige Bueckers, who made historical past within the workforce’s one-point 82-81 street loss on Wednesday night to the Los Angeles Sparks.
Sparks veteran guard Kelsey Plum scored the game-winning basket at hand Los Angeles one other thrilling victory over the younger Dallas squad that’s now mathematically eradicated from playoff competition after coping with accidents and trades all year long.
Nonetheless, there’s a promising future in Dallas, because it builds its franchise round Bueckers.
“We’re proper there, this younger group continues to scratch and claw,” Dallas Wings head coach Chris Koclanes mentioned postgame. “… Now we have to proceed to be taught and determine learn how to win some….simply pleased with our battle.”
Bueckers Made WNBA Historical past
Bueckers turned the primary participant to attain 40 or extra factors this season, set a single-game rookie scoring mark and in addition tied Cynthia Cooper (1997) for many factors scored by a first-year W participant with 44 factors within the Wings’ heartbreaking loss. (Cooper was 34 12 months previous in that inaugural season.) Bueckers completed with an impressive subject aim share of 81 (17-of-21), made 4 3-pointers, and had three rebounds and 4 assists whereas enjoying 36 minutes for Dallas.
I imply…Paige Bueckers is insane. Her 44 factors tonight vs. the Sparks is:
*essentially the most factors in a sport by a rookie in WNBA historical past*essentially the most factors in a sport by any participant this season*the primary 40-piece in league historical past on 80% FG pic.twitter.com/4dPMzWYDCY
— Ballislife.com (@Ballislife) August 21, 2025
Moreover, she turned the primary participant in league historical past to have a 40-point efficiency whereas capturing 80 % from the sphere. She additionally joined Cooper and Candace Parker (2008) as the one rookies to report a 40-point sport.
After the sport, Bueckers gave credit score to her Wings’ teammates for being part of her particular night time in Los Angeles whereas persevering with to battle with 9 gamers out there (later went to eight after J.J. Quinerly went down with an obvious knee damage).
“Simply my teammates getting me open,” Bueckers mentioned. “Screening for me, operating some off-ball actions, making an attempt to get myself open seems to be. Simply bringing the ball up the ground. (Luisa Geiselsoder) set wonderful screens for me your complete night time after which my teammates simply searching for me, getting me the ball, getting me open.”
ROY
— Arike Ogunbowale (@Arike_O) August 21, 2025
Head coach Chris Koclanes Makes Case for Bueckers to win Rookie of the 12 months
In the course of the pregame, Koclanes instructed the media his perception is Bueckers is the frontrunner for 2025 Rookie of the 12 months. After Bueckers’ historic efficiency in Los Angeles, he reiterated his help for Bueckers’ candidacy.
Again in Could, Washington Mystics ahead Kiki Iriafen gained the Rookie of the Month award together with her influence on the workforce alongside fellow rookie teammate Sonia Citron. Bueckers has since gained Rookie of the Month awards for June and July and is averaging 18.8 factors, 4.1 rebounds, and 5.4 assists per sport all through the season.
“After you simply watched that efficiency (little doubt she’s Rookie Of the 12 months),” Koclanes mentioned. “…She lets the sport come to her and she or he takes what the protection is giving her…she simply performs at her personal tempo, you may’t velocity her up. It’s actually spectacular for a rookie on this league.”
Bueckers Shares Gratitude to her Fanbase
With lower than a month left within the WNBA common season, Bueckers shared her gratitude to the followers for his or her help, highlighting how a lot it means to her. She is having a memorable calendar 12 months, beginning with main the UConn Huskies to a Nationwide Championship and making a direct influence on the league in her first season.
To not point out Los Angeles Sparks ahead Cameron Brink, the second total decide within the 2024 WNBA Draft, known as Bueckers a “phenomenal” and an “wonderful” participant.
“I’ve at all times prided myself and the workforce on successful in order that’s clearly the primary aim,” Bueckers mentioned. “Actually, I’m simply most pleased with this workforce, like, the way in which we battle… This workforce simply means a lot to me.
“The way in which we love one another, like, it may very well be straightforward for us to take a seat right here and be 9 in no matter we’re and be depressing and hate coming to work, however simply how we present up for one another, we’re studying and rising collectively… As a lot as success and the wins haven’t translated but, what we’re constructing right here, it simply makes me so pleased. I’m simply tremendous grateful for it….Simply being tremendous pleased with each single one in all my teammates is essentially the most factor I’ll take away from this, really.”
The Dallas Wings will return residence to face the Seattle Storm, who’re preventing for one of many final playoff spots, on Friday.
