Paige Bueckers Sets WNBA Rookie Scoring Record with 44 Points in Nail-Biting Loss
Dallas, August 21, 2025 – Dallas Wings guard Paige Bueckers delivered an extraordinary performance on Wednesday night, scoring 44 points to tie the WNBA single-game rookie scoring record. Despite her historic effort, the Wings fell just short in an 81-80 loss to the Los Angeles Sparks, sealed by Kelsey Plum’s buzzer-beating shot.
Bueckers, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2025 WNBA draft, was unstoppable from all over the court. She showcased efficiency and versatility, making shots in the restricted area, paint, mid-range, and from beyond the three-point line. Shooting a remarkable 17-of-21 from the field — an unprecedented 81% shooting accuracy for a 40+ point game in WNBA history — she singlehandedly accounted for 55% of her team’s points, one of the highest percentages ever recorded in the league. Her scoring outpaced her teammates’ combined shooting percentage of just 31% that evening.
Her 44-point output tied the record held by Cynthia Cooper-Dyke, set back in 1997 during the league’s inaugural season. Notably, Cooper-Dyke’s record came after extensive overseas professional experience, whereas Bueckers is recognized as the first ‘true rookie’ to reach this scoring milestone, surpassing Candace Parker’s previous best of 40 points in 2008.
Bueckers himself reflected on her scoring mastery, attributing her success to rigorous practice and game study. “It’s a lot of repetition in practice,” she said. “Learning and growing, watching film on how to get to your spots, use teammates’ screens, and attack in transition when teams switch on screens. Just reading the possession.” This efficient style of play has followed her from her time at UConn into her burgeoning WNBA career.
Despite the personal milestone, the Wings’ hopes were dashed in a thrilling finish. With the game tied at 80, Sparks guard Kelsey Plum launched a “banker” shot just before the buzzer, clinching the victory for Los Angeles. The loss dampened the team result but did not overshadow Bueckers’ historic night, which stands out as the highest-scoring game by any WNBA player so far this season and firmly establishes her as the frontrunner for the 2025 Rookie of the Year award.
In addition to her scoring record, Bueckers also joins an elite list of rookies who have dominated major statistical categories in the WNBA’s history, confirming her status as one of the most promising talents in women’s basketball today.
The Wings will look to build on Bueckers’ electrifying play as the 2025 WNBA season continues, hoping for stronger team outcomes while their rookie star continues to rewrite the record books.