Paige Bueckers etched her name in WNBA history Wednesday night, scoring 44 points in one of the most efficient single-game performances the league has ever seen. But the Dallas Wings rookie isn’t just rewriting the record books — she’s making a legitimate case to be named to an All-WNBA Team in her first season.

Bueckers shot 17-of-21 from the field, 4-of-4 from 3-point range, and 6-of-6 from the free-throw line in Dallas’ 81-80 loss to the Los Angeles Sparks at Crypto.com Arena. No player in league history had ever scored 40 or more points while shooting at least 80%.
“It’s a lot of repetition in practice,” Bueckers said. “And learning and growing, watching film of how you can get to your spots, how you can attack, how you can use your teammates’ screening for you, attacking in transition, and when teams switch on screens. Just reading the possession.”
Paige Bueckers Delivers Record-Setting Performance
Her 44 points set the WNBA rookie scoring record, surpassing Candace Parker’s 40-point game in 2008. The only other first-year player to reach 44 was Cynthia Cooper during the league’s inaugural 1997 season, but every player that year was technically in their first WNBA campaign.
Bueckers not only established a new league rookie record but also set the mark for most points by a Wings rookie in franchise history. She tied the franchise record for most field goals made in a game with 17 and set new personal bests in both points and field goals. Her 44 points also marked the most scored in any WNBA game this season, surpassing even league MVP candidates.
The outing cemented her place in the Wings’ record book in other ways, too. She moved into first place for the most double-digit scoring games by a rookie in franchise history, with 29. In addition, she tied Arike Ogunbowale for the second-most 35-point games in a rookie season with two.
“I truly think basketball has gotten away from it — it’s mostly layups and 3s,” Bueckers said. “Teams don’t know how to guard it. So I think it’s an advantage when you can score in the midrange.”
Paige Bueckers is Playing Beyond Her Years
Head coach Chris Koclanes praised Bueckers’ ability to dictate tempo, pointing to her maturity as a floor leader well beyond her years. He noted that what separates her from most first-year players is not just her scoring, but the composure she brings to each possession.
“She takes what the defense is giving her all over the floor,” Koclanes said. “She just plays at her own pace. You can’t speed her up. It’s really impressive for a rookie in this league to be able to maintain her own speed and tempo. I think that helps her to be able to read the defense.”
Koclanes also pointed to her willingness to trust teammates, even in late-game moments.
“Pre-game Mary Murphy asked me why she’s Rookie of the Year,” he said. “I don’t think I need to answer that after tonight. Even on the last play, when people thought she should shoot — she trusted her teammate and made the right play. That’s who she is. We’re lucky to have her.”
I mean…Paige Bueckers is insane. Her 44 points tonight vs. the Sparks is:
— Ballislife.com (@Ballislife) August 21, 2025
*the most points in a game by a rookie in WNBA history
*the most points in a game by any player this season
*the first 40-piece in league history on 80% FG pic.twitter.com/4dPMzWYDCY
Bueckers has been consistently productive all season, averaging 19.7 points, 4.1 rebounds, 5.3 assists, and 1.7 steals in 34 minutes per game. Her shooting splits — 47.4 percent from the field, 33.7 percent from 3, and 88.6 percent from the line — highlight her balance of efficiency and volume.
She has elevated her production even further in August, averaging 23.9 points per game, second only to A’ja Wilson. She has recorded at least three assists in 21 consecutive games and pulled down at least four rebounds in each of her last four outings.
Bueckers’ résumé also stands out statistically on a league-wide scale. She currently ranks fifth in scoring, ninth in assists, and fourth in steals. She is the only player in the WNBA ranked in the top 10 in all three categories, underscoring her rare balance as a scorer, facilitator, and defender.
From Rookie of the Year to All-WNBA Discussion
Her Rookie of the Year candidacy has been unquestioned for months, but her latest milestone pushes her into a conversation typically reserved for veterans: All-WNBA honors.
Candace Parker (2008), Breanna Stewart (2016), and Caitlin Clark (2024) all earned All-WNBA recognition as rookies. Parker was named to the All-WNBA First Team during her historic MVP rookie season, while Stewart earned a Second Team spot. Clark joined Parker in 2024 as the only rookies in league history to make the First Team, and she went on to be voted captain of the 2025 WNBA All-Star Game after receiving the most fan votes.
Like Parker, Stewart, and Clark, Bueckers entered the league as a No. 1 overall pick carrying heavy expectations. Her ability to deliver historic scoring nights while maintaining elite efficiency, coupled with her defensive presence, has made her one of the most complete guards in the WNBA.
“People have gotten to see the struggles … the injuries, the ups and downs,” Bueckers said, reflecting on her UConn career. “For people to continue to follow me and still believe in me, it really means a lot. I’ll never take that for granted.”
Voices From the Dallas Wings Locker Room
Her teammates echoed the sentiment that her breakout game was about more than just points. Luisa Geiselsöder pointed to the team’s progress despite the loss.
“The way we came out of the locker room — we put our foot on the gas defensively,” she said. “We were more aggressive, guarded the three-point line much better than in the first half, and were really physical. They made tough shots, but it was good to see our progress. That made it tougher we couldn’t finish and get the win, but in the bigger picture, the progress this team is making is real.”
Bueckers herself credited her teammates for helping her get open during her historic night.
“My teammates got me open — screening for me, running off-ball actions, trying to get me looks,” she said. “Lou set amazing screens all night. My teammates looked for me, got me the ball, got me open. That was really them.”
Asked about her efficiency, Bueckers pointed back to preparation.
“Repetition in practice and games, learning, watching film. Finding ways to get to my spots more efficiently, attacking mismatches, using teammates as screeners, attacking in transition,” she said. “Every possession is different, so it’s just reading the game and taking what the defense gives you.”
Paige Bueckers Has Provided Leadership
The Wings sit at 9-27 and have been eliminated from playoff contention. But Bueckers emphasized there is still pride to play for.
“I’ve always prided myself in the team winning, so that’s obviously the main goal,” Bueckers said. “I’m most proud of this team and the way we fight. This team just means so much to me. Just the way we invest. We love each other. It could be easy for us to be [9-27] and be miserable and hate coming to work, but we show up for each other. We’re learning and growing together. What we’re building here, it just makes me so happy.”
Koclanes echoed that message, noting the importance of growth even in losses.
“We’re right there,” he said. “This young group keeps scratching and clawing, putting themselves in positions to win. Now we need to learn how to finish. These games are great film and learning opportunities. I’m proud of the fight.”
As the regular season winds down, Bueckers’ historic scoring performance stands as more than just a rookie highlight. It has pushed her résumé into the rare air of players who, in their very first season, transcend Rookie of the Year debates and enter serious All-WNBA conversations.