Wings' Paige Buckers sets new career-high in Caitlin Clark-esque performance

Bueckers, who led UConn to the national championship in April, has gotten her WNBA career off to a stellar start so far.

Before her injury, in six games, Bueckers was leading the league in assists (6.7), on top of averaging 14.7 points (19th), 2.0 steals (tied for third) and 4.7 rebounds.

If there was one complaint, the rookie is shooting just 33% from three-point range, although her overall shooting percentage is 43.7%. 

At least before her return to the lineup. 

Bueckers doesn't quite get the hype of Indiana Fever star Caitlin Clark, but her game isn't far behind, and Wednesday night was a great example of that.

Playing against the Phoenix Mercury after missing four games, Bueckers exceeded her previous career-high for points, 21, with 22 points in the first half.

Bueckers made 8-of-10 shots from the field. She was also a perfect 3-for-3 from three-point range. Unfortunately, the rest of the Wings didn't offer much help in what ended up as the team's 10th loss, 93-80. 

Bueckers heated up again late in the second half, drilling two more triples to try and ignite a comeback, clinching her first 30-point game in the league in the process. 

Bueckers finished with 35 points (13-of-19), six rebounds, four assists and five three-pointers in a performance that was Clark-esque. 

Clark reached the 30-point plateau for the first time in her eighth WNBA game. Bueckers did it in her seventh.

Bueckers might not have the same game as Clark, but she can be just as impactful, and this was a reminder of that.