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Paige Bueckers Receives Message from Magic Johnson After Making WNBA History

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Cole Sullivan | Last updated Aug 21, 2025 3:03 PM ET

The basketball world was captivated by Wednesday night’s showdown between the Dallas Wings and Los Angeles Sparks, which ended in a dramatic 81-80 buzzer-beater by Sparks star Kelsey Plum.

Despite the loss, it was Wings rookie Paige Bueckers who stole the spotlight, erupting for 44 points on 17-for-21 shooting from the field and 4-for-4 from beyond the arc.

Her performance tied Cynthia Cooper’s 28-year-old record for most points in a single game by a rookie and also marked the highest-scoring game by any WNBA player this season.

On Thursday, NBA legend Magic Johnson weighed in on Bueckers’ historic showing via social media.

“I have to give Paige Bueckers some love for hitting 44 points in last night’s game—the most points by a rookie in WNBA history and the most points in a game by any player this season!” Johnson posted.

I have to give Page Bueckers some love for hitting 44 points in last night’s game, the most points by a rookie in WNBA history and the most points in a game by any player this season!
— Earvin Magic Johnson (@MagicJohnson) August 21, 2025

Magic Johnson also made sure to praise the Sparks, an organization in which he is a part owner and where he spent his entire NBA career as a member of the Los Angeles Lakers, bringing the city four championships.

“A magical ending for my @LASparks last night vs. Dallas! Kelsey Plum hit the game-winning shot in the 81-80 victory over the Wings!” Johnson posted.

Nonetheless, the Sparks’ victory officially eliminated the Wings from the WNBA postseason. Despite that, Bueckers’ rookie season has been stellar from start to finish, and Wednesday night’s performance may have been a defining moment in the Rookie of the Year race, which also features Washington Mystics rookie Sonia Citron.

With eight games remaining in the regular season, Bueckers is averaging 19.7 points, 5.3 assists, 4.1 rebounds, and 1.7 steals per game, while shooting 47.4% from the field and 33.7% from beyond the arc.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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