This one’s a brutal gut punch Paige Bueckers will have to swallow. The Dallas Wings’ point guard scored more than half of the team’s points, swishing down bucket after bucket on her way to 44 points. However, Kelsey Plum’s last-second buzzer beater meant the Sparks edged past the Wings with an 80-81 scoreline. It was a record-breaking night for Bueckers, where she matched Cynthia Cooper’s rookie single-game scoring record, set during the WNBA’s inaugural season in 1997, when Cooper was 34. 

Essentially, this was a new record for the 23-year-old, and she did it with efficiency. She shot 17 of 21 from the field and made all six of her free-throw attempts. No player in WNBA history has taken 20+ shots and come up with that stat line. To add to that, Bueckers had three assists with just one turnover. There is a reason Ja Morant took notice and wrote, “Paige hoopin.” Sparks camp was all praise for Bueckers after the game. “She was the best player on the court tonight,” Plum said. While the loss dampened the mood a little, you would think this was a career-high night for Bueckers, but she had a different perspective. 

“Where does this rank among your career despite the loss?” A reporter asked after the game. Bueckers was in no mood to celebrate personal milestones as she said, “I mean, I’ve always prided myself and the team on winning. So, that’s obviously the main goal.” 44 points. She probably nailed her Rookie Of The Year with this performance, but the main concern was with the team. It really shows how Bueckers looks at the game. We knew she was a leader from day one as a rookie, but this response truly captures her mindset. With the rest of her answer,  it’s clear she is hell bent on lifting her teammates and celebrating their strengths.

She further said, “And honestly, I think I’m just most proud of this team. Like, the way we fight, like this, this team just means so much to me. Um.. just the way we invest and we love each other. Like it could be easy for us to sit here and be whatever we are and be miserable and hate coming to work, but just how we show up for each other, how we’re learning and growing together, it’s really exciting.”

Bueckers has gone from a UConn team that dominated the college circuit to this Dallas Wings squad, which is officially out of the playoff race after this loss. Even with their record, the vision is clear: to build a better team for the future. It was representative when they traded DiJonai Carrington to the Lynx to bring in a young forward like Diamond Miller. 

On most days, the responsibilities fall on three rookies to step up and provide some punch. Aziaha James and JJ Quinerly are the other two. They have seen immense growth in their rookie season, showing the Wings’ 2025 class isn’t just Bueckers. Wins or not, these youngsters already have more experience in the WNBA than probably any other rookie in the league, making the Wings an exciting project. 

“And like as much as the success and the wins haven’t translated yet, what we’re building here, it just makes me so happy,” Bueckers concluded.

While the fans look at the 9-27 record, it’s very difficult to look at intangibles and count them in the success. The 2025 season was never about results; it was always about the process. While they might have to make some changes to this team, the core group of players that could define the franchise could already be formed. Paige Bueckers is the leader of the pack that has Maddy Siegrist, James, and Quinerly, who stay in the long term. Currently, it looks like that will be the base they will be building on next season. But is Coach Chris Koclanes a part of their plans?

Will Chris Koclanes Survive Beyond Year 1?

Most of the Dallas fans want Koclanes’ head on a silver platter after the season the Wings have had. Most of the complaints are pretty common. He has failed to form a proper structure for this team, and the lack of wins shows it. Their defense has been atrocious, among the worst teams in the league, with a defensive rating of 107.9. His timeouts and in-game rotations have also been heavily criticised. Bueckers’ girlfriend and UConn star Azzi Fudd’s dad had some sharp criticism after their Sparks Loss.

Tim Fudd wrote during the game, “If I’m coaching….we are gonna have a conversation in this timeout. Paige has to touch it EVERY possession. Let her set the table and feed you, or sit back and watch her work.” This is more speaking on that Wings’ last possession where Aziaha James took the three-pointer instead of Bueckers. 

The point guard herself passed off the ball to James, which was termed as her “lone mistake” from this game. Many saw that as a tactical error, but Koclanes himself had a balanced response. “That last play of the game, everyone’s like, ‘you need to shoot that ball”… She trusts her teammates. She’s going to pass that ball 10 times out of 10, because it’s the right play.” He said after the game. Some perceive this as a tactical error from the inexperienced coach who has repeated it throughout the season. 

Considering the current mood, Koclanes seems to have enough room until next season. He has a good relationship with Dallas GM Curt Miller, who believes in him. The locker room seems to have no problem with him, as Myisha Hines Allen went out of her way to defend him against the fans who came with “We want Nola” shirts. “It’s not unheard of for teams to part ways with a coach after just one year — Chicago did it with Teresa Weatherspoon after last season — but it seems less likely to happen with Koclanes.” Wrote ESPN analyst Michael Voepel.  Bueckers will likely win the ROTY and break more records as the Wings will push to grow stronger in the final stretch.