Ja Morant, Chet Holmgren Impressed With Paige Bueckers’ 44-Point Masterclass Despite Major Upset originally appeared on Fadeaway World.
Paige Bueckers is slowly taking over the WNBA with masterful performances for the Dallas Wings. Yes, her efforts have gone in vain a couple of times recently, but that doesn’t discount how well she’s managed to shine through it all.
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Now, the basketball world takes proper notice after she dropped 44 points against the Sparks in a valiant effort. Bueckers was unable to will her team to a victory, but this historical performance got her the appreciation of NBA stars such as Ja Morant and Chet Holmgren.
“Paige hoopin”, the Memphis Grizzlies star posted on X as the game was going on.
Chet Holmgren was hyped up for Bueckers’ legendary night and posted about it multiple times during the game. He was at the arena to show support for his close friend.
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Holmgren and Bueckers go way back. They both come from Minnesota and have known each other since the 3rd grade. Both of them have shown mutual admiration with Bueckers, even calling Holmgren a ‘unicorn’ during an interview.
“Idk where y’all can watch this game but Paige and Rickea goin at it rn,” said the Thunder star in his first post on X during the game. His three posts progress in the way every Dallas Wings fan must’ve felt watching the game.
“Turn this shit on, Paige got 40,” said the second one, and the final post was just five broken hearts after Plum daggered the Sparks to a victory at the very last second.
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The Wings played the Los Angeles Sparks on Wednesday night in a thrilling matchup that went down to the wire. Wings were up 80-79 with just 10 seconds to go. Bueckers had been on fire the entire night as she had 44 points, four rebounds, and three assists.
Bueckers shot with 100% accuracy from the three-point line in four attempts and six of six from the free-throw line, becoming the first player in WNBA history to post 40+ points while shooting 80% from the field. She also broke Candace Parker’s record for most points in a single game by a drafted rookie.
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All of this, in a losing effort as Kelsey Plum took away the glory from Bueckers’ legendary performance with a buzzer-beater.
This game was special for Bueckers since it was a must-win game if the Wings wanted to contend for the playoffs. But after this heartbreaking loss, Bueckers will not see the postseason in her rookie year.
“People have gotten to see the struggle, the injuries, the times where I couldn’t play … For me to have [this] story and people to continue to believe in me, it means a lot,” Bueckers said after the game.
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The 2025 No. 1 WNBA draft pick has been stellar in her rookie season. She’s recorded 18.8 points, 5.4 assists, 4.1 rebounds, and 1.7 steals per game. All of this while battling injuries and being in a team that is struggling to put all the pieces together.
Despite the Wings 9-27 record that comfortably puts them out of playoff contentions, the Minnesota native still hasn’t lost hope and wants to show up and show out for her fans and to ignite a fire within the team that it is possible, they have their star and now all they need is for the supporting cast to fill their roles.
Related: Sophie Cunningham Blasts WNBA Referees Over Paige Bueckers Bias: “That Sh** Is So Annoying”
This story was originally reported by Fadeaway World on Aug 21, 2025, where it first appeared.
