Dallas Wings rookie guard Paige Bueckers poured in 44 points on 17-of-21 shooting, tying the WNBA’s single-game scoring record for a first-year player, during an 81-80 loss to the Los Angeles Sparks on Wednesday at Crypto.com Arena. Bueckers, the No. 1 overall pick and an All-Star this season, became the first player in league history to score at least 40 while converting 80% of her field-goal attempts. She added four rebounds and three assists in 36 minutes, matching the 44-point benchmark set by Cynthia Cooper in 1997. Her outburst was overshadowed when Sparks guard Kelsey Plum sank a buzzer-beating jumper, sealing the one-point victory and knocking Dallas (9-27) out of playoff contention. Bueckers entered the game averaging 18.8 points, 5.4 assists and 4.1 rebounds. The Wings return home to face the Seattle Storm on Friday.