Paige Bueckers Scores 18 Points in Wings’ Loss to Cameron Brink, Sparks

Paige Bueckers posted 18 points, six rebounds and seven assists, but it wasn’t enough as the Dallas Wings fell to Cameron Brink and the Los Angeles Sparks, 91-77, on the road Sunday.

Myisha Hines-Allen added 15 points and four rebounds for Dallas, while Maddy Siegrist chipped in 13 points and four boards.

Julie Allemand led the Sparks with 21 points. Azurá Stevens recorded a double-double with 13 points and 11 rebounds. Kelsey Plum finished with 12 points, and Rickea Jackson added 11. Brink tallied six points and nine rebounds in the win.

The Dallas Wings have been eliminated from WNBA postseason contention, sitting in last place with a 9-34 record. With the win, the Los Angeles Sparks kept their playoff hopes alive, improving to 20-22. To clinch the eighth and final playoff spot, the Sparks must win their two remaining games and hope the Seattle Storm lose their lone remaining matchup.

Allemand, Jackson and the Sparks jumped out to a strong start, taking a 21-14 lead after the first quarter. Jackson scored seven points and Allemand added five, while the defense held Dallas rookie Bueckers scoreless through the opening frame Haley Jones stepped up for the Wings while recording her 500th career point in the first.

Brink got her first bucket a minute into the second quarter, followed shortly by Bueckers finding the net for her first points. Bueckers finished the half with eight points, while Plum added seven and Jackson led the Sparks with nine as they entered the break up 40-29.

Bueckers opened the third quarter with back-to-back baskets for the Wings, but Plum responded with a slick drive to the rim to maintain a nine-point cushion. Hines-Allen cut the deficit to two with 8:22 left in the quarter, and both teams traded buckets from there. The Sparks clung to a narrow 66-64 lead heading into the fourth.

The final quarter belonged entirely to Los Angeles. The Wings were held scoreless until the 5:30 mark, while the Sparks exploded for an 18-point surge to take control. The defensive clampdown proved too much for Dallas to overcome, and the Sparks pulled away for a 91-77 victory.

The Dallas Wings’ final game will be at home against the Phoenix Mercury on Thursday.