Dallas was spared a rout, but only just. In a heart-stopping WNBA showdown, rookie sensation Paige Bueckers poured in 44 points for the Dallas Wings, delivering a performance that rewrote history.
Yet it was veteran guard Kelsey Plum who ultimately swiped the headlines, turning the game with a decisive floater in the closing seconds, a moment so clutch that ESPN drew comparisons to Kobe Bryant.
Bueckers, fresh off her UConn championship run and drafted No. 1 overall this year, delivered with soaring precision: 17-of-21 shooting, including a perfect showing from the line, and that awe-inspiring free throw that lifted Dallas to an 80-79 edge late in regulation
But Kelsey Plum, a four-time All-Star and seasoned veteran of the Sparks, refused to let the moment slip. After briefly missing a long pull-up, she buried a go-ahead floater with under 30 seconds remaining to turn what appeared to be a Wings victory into a Sparks win, 81-80
Midseason subplot: The passing of the torch?
Fans may wonder whether this showdown signaled a changing of the guard, or simply a reminder of how thrillingly unpredictable the WNBA can be.
Bueckers‘ arrival in Dallas has been electric; she ranks among league leaders in points and steals, tying the rookie scoring mark with her 44-point night and becoming the first ever to shoot 80 percent or better on 20 or more attempts with fewer than five misses
Meanwhile, Plum‘s savvy late-game delivery reaffirmed why she remains one of the league’s fiercest competitors.
Rookie brilliance meets veteran composure
Bueckers‘ emergence has been nothing short of meteoric. Besides tying the rookie single-game scoring record, she has repeatedly powered Dallas with jaw-dropping efficiency and consistency.
Despite her team’s struggles, with Dallas sitting near the bottom of the standings at 9-27, Bueckers leads all rookies in points, assists, and steals.
Her back-to-back Rookie of the Month honors and All-Star selection only underscore her impact.
On the other side, Plum delivered a masterclass in poise under pressure. Her late-game bucket erased what looked like a fairy-tale finish for the rookie and showcased her veteran instincts.
That moment caught the attention of ESPN’s Ramona Shelburne, who likened it to the kind of cerebral, clutch shows that made Kobe Bryant legendary.
Bueckers‘ star continues to rise, with her Rookie of the Year trajectory firmly on course – but Plum‘s calm in the chaos is a timely reminder that in basketball, experience still counts.
As the Wings rebuild around their dazzling rookie, and the Sparks ride Plum‘s veteran leadership, fans are treated to a dynamic intersection of rising talent and proven greatness.
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