Dallas Wings Star Paige Bueckers Joins Oscar Robertson, Elvin Hayes in Historic Feat
Paige Bueckers added her name to elite company this week, joining Oscar Robertson and Elvin Hayes in a scoring feat that has stood for more than half a century.
According to OptaSTATS, Bueckers became just the third player ever to score 40 or more points in both an NCAA Tournament game and an NBA or WNBA game in the same calendar year. Robertson accomplished the milestone in 1960, while Hayes matched it in 1968.
Bueckers first hit the mark on March 29, when she poured in 40 points for UConn in the NCAA Tournament. On Wednesday night, she followed it up with 44 points for the Dallas Wings in an 81–80 loss to the Los Angeles Sparks.
Paige Bueckers Achieves Record-Setting Night
Bueckers’ performance in Los Angeles was one for the record books. The rookie guard went 17-of-21 from the field, 4-of-4 from three, and 6-of-6 at the line. She also contributed four rebounds, three assists, and a steal.
The 44 points set a WNBA rookie scoring record, surpassing the 40 points Candace Parker scored in 2008. It also became the highest-scoring game in the league this season and the first 40-point game by a rookie in Dallas franchise history.
“She’s so efficient, it’s unbelievable,” Wings forward Maddy Siegrist told DallasHoopsJournal.com. “For a rookie, I don’t even have words. Just unreal. I’m so happy I get to play with her.”
Head coach Chris Koclanes said Bueckers’ display left little doubt about her Rookie of the Year credentials.
“Pre-game Mary Murphy asked me why she’s Rookie of the Year,” Koclanes said. “I don’t think I need to answer that after tonight. She takes what the defense gives her, plays at her own pace, and doesn’t get sped up. Even on the last play, when people thought she should shoot, she trusted her teammate and made the right play. That’s who she is. We’re lucky to have her.”
Dallas Wings Star Joins Historic Company
Robertson’s name is often linked with all-around dominance, including a college career at Cincinnati that saw him average 33.8 points per game before transitioning to the NBA. Hayes, a Hall of Fame big man from Houston, delivered his own 40-point NCAA Tournament game before becoming a prolific scorer in the NBA.
Now, Bueckers stands alongside them as the only players to cross the 40-point threshold in both settings in a single calendar year.
Her achievement also reflects the continued growth of her game since leaving UConn, where she earned the Wooden Award earlier this year. Bueckers framed that honor as a team accomplishment.
“With the Wooden Award, I’ve always said individual accomplishments are acknowledgements of team accomplishments,” Bueckers told DallasHoopsJournal.com. “At UConn, my teammates and coaches believed in me, helped me become who I am. The athletic training staff and everyone who helped me come back from injuries deserve huge credit.”
With Dallas eliminated from playoff contention, her record night was as much about the future as the present.
“I’ve always prided myself and the team on winning — that’s the main goal,” Bueckers said. “But I’m proud of this team and the way we fight. This group means so much to me. It could be easy to be miserable with our record, but the way we show up for each other, learn, and grow together is exciting. The wins haven’t translated yet, but what we’re building makes me so happy. I’m grateful and proud of every one of my teammates.”
More Dallas Wings News & WNBA Rumors
- WNBA News: “She’s So Efficient, It’s Unbelievable”: Paige Bueckers Scores Record 44 Points in Dallas Wings’ Loss to Los Angeles Sparks
- WNBA News: “She Is Rookie of the Year”: Chris Koclanes Makes Paige Bueckers’ Case Ahead of Los Angeles Sparks Matchup
- WNBA News: “She Was Somebody I Aspired to Be”: Paige Bueckers on Sue Bird’s Legacy as Seattle Storm Unveil Statue
- WNBA News: Dallas Wings’ Li Yueru Out for Season With ACL Sprain, Arike Ogunbowale Has No Timetable With Knee Tendinitis
- WNBA News: “It’s About How You Contribute to Winning”: Paige Bueckers Breaks Dallas Wings Rookie Assist Record, Fastest to 500 Points
- WNBA News: “Paige Will Be a Unifier”: Curt Miller Details Dallas Wings’ Roster Plan Around Paige Bueckers
