The Dallas Wings (9-25) fell just short in a thrilling 97-96 loss to the Los Angeles Sparks (16-17), with first overall pick Paige Bueckers nearly sealing the game with a last-second shot that rimmed out. Despite the defeat, Bueckers, the leading candidate for Rookie of the Year despite rising competition from Washington’s Sonia Citron, shone brightly with a game-high 29 points, five assists, and four rebounds. The Wings’ eighth loss in their last 10 games has all but eliminated them from playoff contention, leaving a slight blemish on Bueckers’ stellar debut season as a collective disappointment.
However, with 10 games left, she’s poised to keep shattering individual records, living up to the pre-season hype that drew parallels to Caitlin Clark’s sensational Rookie of the Year campaign. Both players are electrifying talents early in their careers, and Bueckers’ run is proving to be one for the ages.
Bueckers Smashes Records, Chasing WNBA History
Paige Bueckers continues her remarkable streak of scoring 10 or more points in every game this season, the only player to do so and a rookie record in itself. If she maintains this, she’ll join Hall of Famer Cynthia Cooper and three-time MVP A’ja Wilson as the only WNBA rookies with no single-digit scoring games. In yesterday’s clash, one of her five assists etched her name in the Dallas Wings’ record books, surpassing the franchise mark for most assists by a rookie in a season.
This milestone also vaulted her to seventh in the team’s all-time single-season assist list, and she’s now within striking distance of Skylar Diggins’ franchise record of 199 assists. With 146 assists so far, Bueckers needs 53 more-averaging 5.3 per game across the final 10-to claim it, a feasible target given her season average of 5.4. She also made history against the Sparks, becoming the fastest rookie ever to hit 500 points and 100 assists in just 27 games.
Leading the Wings in minutes, points, assists, and steals, Bueckers’ dominance mirrors Caitlin Clark’s 2024 Rookie of the Year season, though Clark set untouchable benchmarks with 337 assists in a season and 19 in a single game, plus a rookie-record 769 points. Bueckers, with 508 points, would need to average 26 points per game to approach Clark’s scoring mark-a tall order, especially having missed seven games to Clark’s full 40-game slate.
Bueckers’ Brilliance Shines Despite Playoff Miss
Bueckers’ rookie campaign is undoubtedly historic, even compared to Clark’s, which some consider the greatest rookie season WNBA history. While Clark powered the Indiana Fever to their first playoff appearance since 2016, Bueckers and the Wings will finish their season on September 9, the last day of the regular season.
Although Clark’s playmaking and rebounding surpass Bueckers’, her efficiency and fewer turnovers stand out. With 10 games left, Bueckers has ample opportunity to add to her record haul and secure her spot among the WNBA’s all-time great rookies, even if a team turnaround remains out of reach.
A look at their stats through the first 27 games underscores their brilliance.
- Minutes Bueckers (34.1) vs Clark (35.2)
- Points Bueckers (18.8) vs Clark (17.6)
- Assists Bueckers (5.4) vs Clark (8.3)
- Rebounds Bueckers (4.0) vs Clark (5.8)
- Turnover Bueckers (2.1) vs Clark (5.6)
- Field Goal % (45.9%) vs Clark (40.9%)
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