Wings' Paige Bueckers makes history but Kelsey Plum, Sparks get the last laugh 

Cooper wasn't exactly a rookie like Bueckers, either. Cooper was in her age-34 season, but that was during the first season the WNBA existed, so it's considered a rookie record.

Regardless, the Rookie of the Year front-runner cooked against the Los Angeles Sparks on Wednesday, connecting on 17-of-21 field-goal attempts and hitting all four of her tries from beyond the arc.

It was almost like Bueckers couldn't miss. Even with L.A. defenders draped all over her, the rookie was easily draining fadeaway jumpers.

In the end, Bueckers' big night wasn't enough to carry the Wings to a victory. Trailing by one point, Los Angeles got the ball back late thanks to a defensive stop.

Plum, who scored 20 points on the night, wasn't about to relinquish the ball and banked in a short jumper at the buzzer to give L.A. a much-needed win. 

Rickea Jackson added 25 points for the Sparks, who are now 0.5 games back of the Seattle Storm for the last playoff spot and one full game behind the Golden State Valkyries for the No. 7 seed.

Plum's shot was clutch, but the night still belonged to Bueckers in the loss. She won't walk away happy with the final result, yet it's worth noting that Bueckers scored 40 points in a WNBA game before Indiana Fever superstar Caitlin Clark.

The UConn alum is also the first WNBA player to score 40 or more this season. Bueckers might not play in the postseason as a rookie with Dallas, but there is little doubt that the future is bright.

Even if Plum stole her thunder for one night.