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2h ago

Bueckers’ 44-Point Rookie Record Highlights Wings’ Fall, Roster Strain

Elimination on a buzzer-beater leaves a thin Wings roster underscoring the gap between Bueckers’ rise and team results.

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Photo courtesy of Dallas Wings

Overview

  • Paige Bueckers scored 44 points on 17-for-21 shooting with 4-of-4 from three, tying Cynthia Cooper’s rookie single-game record and becoming the first WNBA player to hit 40-plus while shooting 80%.
  • Dallas was knocked out of playoff contention in an 81-80 loss to the Sparks on Kelsey Plum’s late winner.
  • In the follow-up, the Wings were routed 95-60 by the Storm as Bueckers finished with 11 points.
  • With injuries reducing Dallas to eight active players, the team signed Nigeria forward Amy Okonkwo to a seven-day hardship contract, stating she would be available for Friday’s game.
  • The performance drew celebrity and NBA attention and renewed Clark–Bueckers comparisons, as Dan Patrick floated a future rivalry and a fan clip criticized Dallas’ home broadcast for calling the 44-point night an “anomaly.”