Despite leading for most of the game, the Los Angeles Sparks were never in control following an explosive scoring performance from Paige Bueckers. The star set a rookie record, scoring 44 points in the game, until Kelsey Plum sealed the game for the hosts.
Yet the Dallas Wings star’s memorable performance attracted praise from her opponents, with Cameron Brink and others lauding her shooting efficiency. After the game, PB revealed the secret behind it.
Paige Bueckers Says Teams Can’t Defend Her Mid-Range Shooting
Return of Cameron Brink strengthens the Los Angeles Sparks’ defense. The side, looking for a playoff spot, was on a hot run behind the new and balanced team dynamics. But it all fell apart in front of the Dallas Wings’ offensive gameplay from the 2025 top pick.
The visitors’ guard not only scored a record 44 points but converted 17 of her 21 attempts from the field, showcasing her elite shooting against the Sparks. She was 100% from the free-throw line and also from the three-point range. Yet talking about her effective scoring, the 22-year-old credited her mid-range jumpers.
She claimed that the lack of mid-range shooting in new-era basketball means the opposition struggles to defend her shots.
“It’s a lot of repetition in practice. And learning and growing, watching film of how you can get to your spots, how you can attack, how you can use your teammates screening for you, attacking in transition and when teams switch on screens. Just reading the possession. I truly think basketball has gotten away from it — it’s mostly layups and 3s. Teams don’t know how to guard it. So I think it’s an advantage when you can score in the midrange,” Bueckers told reporters.
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Paige Bueckers with a night FOR THE AGES 👑
— WNBA (@WNBA) August 21, 2025
▪️ Most points by a rookie in WNBA history
▪️ First player in league history with 40+ on 80%+ FG
▪️ Highest scoring game this year
FINAL STATS VS. LA: 44 PTS, 17-21 FGM (81%), 4 REB#WelcometotheW pic.twitter.com/SJyc1t5rM8
However, during her UConn days, Paige Bueckers proudly owned a “Middy Princess” name due to her elite scoring efficiency from the mid-range. With her nearly 54% conversion ratio from the field, the star heavily relied on the mid-range jumpers in her college career. Additionally, the trend continued in the ‘W’, as the star has a 47.5% shooting average from 16 attempts.
Paige Bueckers Making Great Case For ROTY With Explosive Performances
Even though the Dallas Wings struggled in the season and out of the playoff race, PB has been their brightest performer. The star never missed a double-digit scoring and now has 29 games with 10+ points. Moreover, her impressive records, such as the highest points in a single game and the fastest Rookie to score 500 points and 100 assists, set her apart from her rookie class.
At the start of the season, the Wings’ guard was a clear favorite to win the Rookie of the Year award. But the Mystics’ duo – Sonia Citron and Kiki Iriafen gave the former UConn star competition till her game against the Sparks. Citron, in particular, was the closest competitor with her clutch plays and consistent double-double output.