After the Dallas Wings game against the Los Angeles Sparks, the name on everyone’s lips was Paige Bueckers. The reason is not farfetched, as Bueckers broke the WNBA rookie record once held by Hall of Famer Cynthia Cooper-Dyke. What record did she break, and how much impact is this having on the WNBA? We take a closer look at Paige Bueckers’ rise and influence.
Paige Bueckers Breaks WNBA Record Once Held by Hall of Famer
Breaking The WNBA Rookie Single-Game Scoring Record
Since joining the Dallas Wings, Paige has lit up the WNBA with her skills and poise. If you followed her college career, you might not be surprised that she is now a key name among WNBA circles. While she has already announced herself to the basketball world, she continues to set new standards.
Paige Bueckers was the standout performer for the Dallas Wings in their game against the Los Angeles Sparks. Before the game, Hall of Famer Cynthia Cooper-Dyke held the WNBA single-game rookie scoring record: 44 points in the 1997 season.
Some people often credit the previous scoring record to Candace Parker, who scored 40 points in a single game in 2008. The difference was that Cooper had already started her professional career overseas and joined the WNBA at age 34. Parker, on the other hand, scored 40 points in her rookie season with the Los Angeles Sparks.
But Paige Bueckers has done well to break these records. On Wednesday, Bueckers broke the rookie scoring record. She dropped 44 points, three assists, and four rebounds against the Sparks, making 17 field goals out of 21 attempts. By all standards, this was an impressive display, and her stock has continued to rise.
Paige’s Impact on WNBA and Women’s Basketball
While there have always been concerns that many fans were not following the WNBA and that the sport is not generating the hype it needs, that seems to be changing. Bueckers has injected new energy into the league, and many are now interested in following the games.
Paige is already lighting up the WNBA. She has played an impressive 29 games for the Dallas Wings, scoring 570 points, along with 119 rebounds, and 153 assists. This performance also means she is now the fastest WNBA rookie to reach 500 points. She has continued to generate hype and comparisons with legends, and that will not stop anytime soon.
The overall viewership has increased in the 2025 season. According to a report from Front Office Sports, “The WNBA is averaging 794,000 viewers through 56 games this year across all national networks, according to Nielsen data, a source told Front Office Sports. That number is 21% higher than the league’s 2024 full-season viewership average.” With Paige Bueckers on a hot streak and breaking records, the audience will likely continue to grow.
More important is the impact she is having on her team. Paige has done well to carry the Wings but still needs the support of her teammates to get the most out of the season. Paige’s brilliance offers the Dallas Wings hope that things will get better. She is not just a star — Paige Bueckers is a record breaker.
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