LOS ANGELES — Paige Bueckers delivered a historic performance, scoring a WNBA rookie-record 44 points on 17-of-21 shooting, but the Dallas Wings came up just short in a heartbreaking 81-80 loss to the Los Angeles Sparks at Crypto.com Arena.
Bueckers went a perfect 4-for-4 from three and 6-for-6 at the line, adding four rebounds, three assists, and a steal. Her 44 points marked the most by a player in the league this season and set multiple rookie and franchise records.
Dallas (9-27) trailed by seven at halftime but exploded in the third, outscoring LA 29-15 behind 15 third-quarter points from Bueckers. The Wings led late, but Kelsey Plum hit a game-winning floater as time expired.
Maddy Siegrist added 13 points, and Grace Berger dished a career-high seven assists. The Wings shot 57.9% from deep and 48.3% overall but were eliminated from playoff contention with the loss.
Rickea Jackson (25 points) and Plum (20) led the Sparks (17-18).
