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3h ago

Bueckers Scores 44 to Tie Rookie Record, but Plum’s Buzzer-Beater Eliminates Wings

The defeat ended Dallas’ postseason hopes, underscoring the toll of injuries on a short-handed rebuild.

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Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
Aug 20, 2025; Los Angeles, California, USA; LA Sparks guard Kelsey Plum (10) scores with no time remaining against Dallas Wings center Luisa Geiselsoder (18) for the game-winning basket at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

Overview

  • Paige Bueckers finished with 44 points on 17-of-21 shooting, including 4-of-4 from three and 6-of-6 at the line, matching the WNBA rookie single-game scoring mark set in 1997.
  • Kelsey Plum banked in a floater at the buzzer to give the Sparks an 81-80 win, moving Los Angeles to 17-18 and keeping them in the chase for the final playoff spot.
  • The loss dropped Dallas to 9-27 and mathematically eliminated the Wings from playoff contention despite Bueckers scoring the team’s final 13 points.
  • Bueckers extended her streak of double-digit games to 29, the third-longest by a WNBA rookie, as Rickea Jackson led L.A. with 25 points and a career-high six threes.
  • Dallas’ depth is thinning after Li Yueru was ruled out for the season with a sprained ACL, Arike Ogunbowale has been managing right knee tendonitis, and rookie JJ Quinerly left the game injured, while the WNBA could review Plum’s postgame profanity for possible discipline.