Paige Bueckers wows NBA champion with WNBA-record 44 points

Not being able to stay in his seat, Chet Holmgren became Paige Bueckers' top fan after each bucket. The NBA champion chose quite the night to sit front row and attend a WNBA game with one of the more entertaining matchups of the season.

Holmgren supported his fellow Minnesotan during a career night. Bueckers scored a career-best 44 points in the Dallas Wings' 81-80 loss to the Los Angeles Sparks on Wednesday. The performance broke a WNBA record for most points scored in a game by a rookie. The back-and-forth thriller ended with Kelsey Plum's game-winner.

Shown on the broadcast with his 2025 NBA champion hat, Holmgren took to social media to articulate how amazed he was with Bueckers' all-time performance. Not only did she drop 40-plus points, but she did so on superb efficiency. She shot 17-of-21 from the field, which included a perfect 4-of-4 from 3 and 6-of-6 on free throws.

Bueckers has lived up to her prospect hype. The 23-year-old has been a household name since high school. She became one of the greatest college players ever at UConn. After being taken with the No. 1 pick in the 2025 WNBA draft, she's secured the Rookie of the Year trophy and has received some All-WNBA Team buzz.

As most know, Holmgren is a basketball addict. Mark Daigneault would let you know he sleeps in his sneakers. As he continues to enjoy his offseason after capturing an NBA championship, he stopped by to show Bueckers some love after her best performance yet.

Chet Holmgren at the Wings vs. Sparks game. Sitting courtside with his NBA champions hat pic.twitter.com/6xE0LudKcf

— Clemente Almanza (@CAlmanza1007) August 21, 2025

Just a whole lotta ballers kicking it after the show 😮‍💨 pic.twitter.com/GjgmOkaLbD

— Dallas Wings (@DallasWings) August 21, 2025

Idk where y’all can watch this game but Paige and Rickea goin at it rn

— chet holmgren (@ChetHolmgren) August 21, 2025

Turn this shit on Paige got 40😭😭😭

— chet holmgren (@ChetHolmgren) August 21, 2025

💔💔💔💔💔

— chet holmgren (@ChetHolmgren) August 21, 2025

This article originally appeared on OKC Thunder Wire: Paige Bueckers wows NBA champion with WNBA-record 44 points