Paige Bueckers collided with Kelsey Plum and shoved the Los Angeles Sparks guard down during the Dallas Wings’ loss at the Staples Center.

Fighting until the last game, the Los Angeles Sparks cleared the first step for the 2025 playoff qualification. Julie Allemand made WNBA history in the game as the hosts recorded a dominant win over the Dallas Wings. Kelsey Plum and Dearica Hamby played supporting roles but were equally effective on the floor for the three-time champions.

The 30-year-old guard is famous for her ‘never-die’ attitude didn’t reflect on the stat sheet but her presence was important to keep explosive scorer Paige Bueckers quite in the game. the frustration reached its peak as PB shoved the Sparks guard midway into the game.

Paige Bueckers Seen Pushing Kelsey Plum Down

The moment took place early in the third quarter, when the rookie scored a basket and was arguing with the referee for a missed foul call. As she was tracking back on defense, she was still talking to the officials and hit the Sparks guard on the way. While that collision was unintentional, as neither player was looking at the other, what happened next was shocking.
Kelsey Plum And Paige Bueckers (Photo by Imagn Images)
After the collision, the former UConn player shoved her down instead of going around Plum and kept running back on defense. The veteran guard lost her balance and fell on the court. Though she gets the benefit of the doubt for the collision and push, her lack of remorse while Plum is falling to the ground showed how much the rookie was involved in the game.

Luckily, neither player looked to escalate the event and carried on with the game. Plum scored 2 points in the game, and Dearica Hamby scored 15 points for the Sparks. Julie Allemand’s career high game bettered the Sparks’ record to 20-22.

Before the game, HC Lynne Roberts talked about Los Angeles Sparks’ mindset for the tough playoff qualification, as they need to register win in the next two games to enter in top eight. For the Wings, the story remains same with the Rookie of the Year candidate delivering on the floor while rest of the team play passive role in games.

Paige Bueckers’ Another Solo Fight Goes In Vain

The Los Angeles Sparks vs Dallas Wings’ game brings back memory of their previous encounter, where Bueckers smashed WNBA record for most points in a game by a rookie. Kelsey Plum’s game-winner overshadowed Bueckers’ heroics, as the reigning NCAA champion looked to avenge the loss.

But this time, the Sparks were ready with a defensive plan for the 2025 rookie and held her to 18 points. Still, it was a top score from the Wings side as other players struggled offensively and shot well below 50%.

The Wings fell to their 34th loss of the season, winning just nine games so far in the league. Now, if PB wins the Rookie of the Year award, she will set an unwanted record of ROY winner with the fewest wins in the season.