Paige Bueckers scored 44 points in a Wings-Sparks game, tying the WNBA rookie scoring record while showing remarkable composure. She shot 17-of-21 from the field (81%), hit all four three-pointers, and made all six free throws, producing 93% true shooting. Her offense combined catch-and-shoot, midrange pull-ups, penetrative ball-handling, rim finishes, and post backing-down against bigger defenders. Her defense showed exceptional range, guarding 6-foot-6 Azurá Stevens and staying in front of quick players like Kelsey Plum. The box score understates the variety and craftsmanship of her performance, which blended skill, strength, and unflappable pace.
Varied and efficient, Bueckers's game has an almost soothing quality to it. Her cool sense of pace means that she sometimes looks superimposed onto a court, like the other players filmed themselves as background and someone added her in post. At no point in last night's 44-point performance did she seem harried or anxious to tie the WNBA rookie scoring record, which she did.
But the box score doesn't even flatter her enough. It says how many-so many!-but not how, which was the best part. She caught and shot; she hit midrange pull-ups over opponents' arms; she spun defenders around with her handles to get right to the rim; and when she couldn't get where she wanted by craft, she could still do it with sheer strength, backing down much bigger Sparks players in the post.
Collection
[
|
...
]