Bueckers matches franchise assist record in Dallas Wings victory over Sparks

Dallas Wings guard Paige Bueckers recorded 14 assists and 18 points in a 104-96 victory over the Los Angeles Sparks on Friday, tying the franchise single-game assist record previously held by teammate Arike Ogunbowale. The performance marked Bueckers’ first double-double of the WNBA season and contributed to the Wings’ fourth consecutive win, improving their record to 7-3.

Bueckers’ 14 assists matched the highest assist total by any WNBA player this season, earning praise across the league. Her 51.9% assist percentage in the game underscored her playmaking efficiency, while the team shot 53% from the field to secure the win. The result represents the franchise’s best 10-game start since relocating from Tulsa in 2016.

Ogunbowale acknowledged the significance of the achievement, telling reporters that Bueckers is “1 of 1.” She noted that the team had “a lot of missed layups,” suggesting that Bueckers could have potentially broken the record had those shots been converted. This anecdotal observation highlights the margin between tying and breaking the mark, though the official record remains shared.

Bueckers emphasised the collective nature of the performance, stating that her teammates planned to “share the pedestal” with her. She credited the squad for “smoking one for me” by getting open and making plays, noting that the team’s movement and screening made the game easier for her. The guard, who was drafted first overall last year, remains in her second WNBA season.

The victory extends Dallas’s momentum into the latter stages of the season. With the 7-3 record, the Wings have established a strong foundation following their move from Tulsa. Bueckers’ ability to facilitate the offense while contributing significantly to the scoring output has been central to the team’s recent success.