LOS ANGELES (AP) — Paige Bueckers put together not just one of the best shooting performances by a WNBA rookie, but one of the best performances ever by any player.

The top pick in this year's draft scored 44 points in the Dallas Wings' 81-80 loss to the Los Angeles Sparks on Wednesday night, the most points by a rookie in WNBA history and the most points in a game by any player this season.

Bueckers sank 17 of 21 shots, including 4 of 4 from 3-point range and 6 of 6 at the free-throw line to become the first player in league history with 40-plus points on 80% shooting from the floor.

She also had four rebounds and three assists.

Cynthia Cooper also scored 44 points in the WNBA’s inaugural season in 1997.

But it was a bittersweet performance for Bueckers, whose primary focus is on

See Full Page