LOS ANGELES -- The Sparks continue to survive.
Paige Bueckers left an indelible mark in Crypto.Com Arena when she scored a ridiculous 44 points, which was the most scored by a WNBA player in the 2025 season.
But that was overshadowed by a game-winner by Kelsey Plum.
KELSEY PLUM IS HER! @Kelseyplum10 x @WNBA pic.twitter.com/Bw2tAiHtar
— Los Angeles Sparks (@LASparks) August 21, 2025
The floater gave the Sparks an 81-80 win in an unbelievable contest.
It was a back and forth affair after the Sparks came back after they erased a seven-point deficit to start the fourth quarter. Bueckers carried the Wings pretty much the whole game as she matched the Sparks bucket for bucket. The Rookie of the Year candidate scored the last 13 points for Dallas, punctuating it with a technical foul shot that put the Sparks down, 80-79. After Aziaha James missed a three-pointer, the Sparks didn't call a timeout and set up for the game-winning banker.
"The last play, I'm a believer in, if there's 15 seconds or less, not to call timeout," Sparks coach Lynne Roberts said. "If there's like five seconds, you actually call timeout. But if we have time to go, then it takes the coaching out and players make plays. And I think our players are good at playing in space and in transition and so just trusting them. So that was, I knew it would come down to pick and roll with (Dearica Hamby) and K.P. And just a heck of a finish by her, pretty determined there to get the bucket. So yeah, a win is a win. We'll take it."
It was hard to ignore Bueckers' historic performance.
"She's a phenomenal player, point blank period," Sparks forward Cameron Brink said. "She's amazing and yeah, kudos to her."
When it comes to close games, though, the Sparks have been coming out on top. They are 7-2 when games are decided by five points or less.
What was the mentality when the games get tight? Sparks are 7-2 when games are decided by five points or less. pic.twitter.com/LgVF1mn0bc
— Rey-Rey (@TheNoLookPass) August 21, 2025
"Yeah, I think we talk about in the huddles, we're going to win. Just settle in, we're going to win," Roberts said. "Obviously, that's not the only thing said but just the mentality of learning how to win and not flinching and not panicking. I try to lead that by example. But these guys, they don't flinch. They just keep coming back, and I think that's a sign of growth and we're getting there. The league is too good. The games are going to be close, and so you can't panic or get tight.
"Same thing in the first quarter," Roberts continued. "We couldn't throw it in the ocean standing on a boat, and they didn't panic. They kept shooting, and that's the sign of being confident in your work on each other and the system and everything. So I was proud of that, too. We could have panicked or freaked out. Just keep swinging. It's going to be fine if you continue to play hard and execute the game plan."
There was a lot of talk about defense in the pre-game presser for Coach Roberts. And rightfully so, as they're second to last in defensive rating before the game. Brink talked about building defensively after the win.
"Yeah, just continue to listen to the coaching staff," Brink said. "They come up with great scouts and plans, and I think we just really need to continue to implement that. Like we said, Paige was just on fire tonight. It's hard to stop someone like that. But, yeah, I think as a big, I can do better being up to touch on screens. I was used to dropping my whole career, so I know there's a lot of things that I can work on. Yeah, I just think as a group, we'll continue to work on that."
The Wings got off to a 9-0 start before Rickea Jackson carried the Sparks in scoring. The Sparks would eventually lead by 15 in the second period before the Wings whittled it down by halftime. Bueckers would take over from there and the rest was history.
Los Angeles was led by Jackson with 25 points. Plum ended with 20 while Dearica Hamby had 13 points and nine boards. Brink came off the bench with 11 points and eight rebounds.
As for the Wings, Maddy Siegrist is the only other player that scored in double digits with 13 points. Unfortunately, JJ Quinerly went down with an injury in the second half. As if the Wings didn't already have enough problems. The Sparks also eliminated the Wings officially from playoff contention.
The Sparks (17-18) are still a half-game behind the Seattle Storm but for now, the Sparks will have a long five-day break before getting back on the court on Tuesday against the powerful Phoenix Mercury.