No NBA Player Since 1968 Has Achieved What Paige Bueckers Did on Wednesday

Paige Bueckers Makes Basketball History Never Seen Since the 1960s

On Wednesday night, Bueckers delivered a defining performance for the Wings, dropping 44 points in a narrow 81–80 loss to the Los Angeles Sparks. She shot 17 of 21 from the field (over 80% efficiency), nailed all four 3-pointers, and converted all six free-throw attempts—an efficiency level rarely seen in the league. Her output not only set a WNBA rookie scoring record but also marked the highest single-game point total of the season for any player.

The 23-year-old also made history on the night. According to OptaSTATS, Bueckers became the first player since Elvin Hayes in 1968 to score 40+ points in both an NCAA Tournament game and a professional game in the same calendar year.

She first did it on March 29, scoring 40 in UConn’s Sweet Sixteen win over Oklahoma. That effort helped the Huskies advance to the Elite Eight and was a reminder of her dominance at the college level.

Now, just months later, she has replicated that at the highest level of women’s basketball, joining Hayes and Oscar Robertson (1960) as the only players ever to accomplish the feat.

Paige Bueckers is Having One of the Best WNBA Rookie Seasons Ever

Bueckers’ rookie campaign has set some precedence for the future. Beyond her scoring explosions, she’s recorded two 30-point games, strung together 29 consecutive double-digit outings—the third-longest streak ever by a rookie—and ranked fifth in league scoring with 19.7 points per game (alongside 5.3 assists, 4.1 rebounds, and 1.7 steals). 

Named Rookie of the Month in June and July, she also shattered franchise records—becoming the fastest Wings player to reach 500 points and 100 assists. With her combination of efficiency and star power, Bueckers has positioned herself as one of the league’s most impactful rookies in years and a cornerstone for Dallas moving forward.