Paige Bueckers delivered a performance that will be remembered for years, scoring 44 points against the LA Sparks in what many are calling one of the greatest rookie outings in WNBA history. Her near-flawless shooting – 17-for-21 from the field and a perfect 4-for-4 from beyond the arc – tied Cynthia Cooper‘s rookie scoring record from 1997.
Yet while the basketball world praised her brilliance, the spotlight also sparked backlash from a familiar group: supporters of Caitlin Clark.
Despite the Dallas Wings falling 81-80 on a last-second shot from Kelsey Plum, Bueckers was the undisputed star of the night. “My teammates just looking for me, getting me open. That’s really just them,” she said modestly afterward, brushing aside her own milestone.
But others were far less quiet. NBA stars Ja Morant, Chet Holmgren, and Jalen Green were quick to rave about her display. “Paige hoopin,” Morant posted, while Holmgren, who attended the game in person, couldn’t contain his excitement: “Turn this shit on Paige got 40.”
Even Magic Johnson joined in, praising her as the first rookie to hit 44 points in a game, and calling it the best single-game performance of the WNBA season.
Clark vs Bueckers: a debate reignited
The overwhelming reaction to Bueckers‘ night highlighted just how much her rookie season has captured attention – but it also triggered comparisons with Caitlin Clark.
Bueckers recently broke another of Clark‘s records, becoming the fastest player in league history to reach 500 points and 150 assists, doing so in just 28 games.
For many Clark fans, the narrative is shifting too quickly. “@wnba never showed this much attention and love to Caitlin Clark,” one fan complained after the league’s official account shared multiple posts celebrating Bueckers. Another argued the hype was exaggerated: “Everybody?? Mostly unknowns and unlikeables.”
Supporters of Clark also pointed out her broader impact on the sport. While Bueckers has been outstanding statistically – averaging 19.7 points, 4.1 rebounds, and 5.3 assists, numbers that make her a front-runner for Rookie of the Year – critics argue her off-court presence does not compare to Clark‘s ability to draw record viewership and sell out arenas.
Indeed, Clark‘s arrival helped push the WNBA to its peak TV audience of 2.7 million viewers earlier this season, and Indiana still ranks near the top of the league in attendance despite her injuries. By comparison, Dallas sits near the bottom of the attendance rankings, a point Clark‘s fans have been quick to raise.
Praise and pushback across the league
Still, not all the reaction was negative. Many players and fans applauded Bueckers for her performance, insisting that her game speaks for itself. “The people champ. Let’s go Paige,” one fan posted. WNBA players DiJonai Carrington, NaLyssa Smith, and Tyasha Harris also voiced their admiration, showing that her impact is being felt across the league.
The debate underscores the complicated dynamic between two of the brightest young stars in women’s basketball. Both selected No. 1 overall in their drafts, Clark and Bueckers were already linked before they entered the league, thanks to high-profile NCAA battles and their status as generational talents.
Now, in the professional ranks, their names continue to be intertwined – not only through their records, but also through the intense fan bases that follow them.
While Clark‘s influence off the court remains unmatched, Bueckers is proving she belongs in the same conversation through her play. And if performances like her 44-point masterpiece keep coming, the debate over who is the face of the league will only intensify.
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