Dallas Wings star guard Paige Bueckers might be playing through an injury that worsened at the 2026 FIBA World Cup with Team USA.
Bueckers is averaging 20.5 points, 5.9 assists, and 4.1 rebounds this season, propelling the Wings into the postseason picture based on her incredible performances.
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Unfortunately, the Wings might not be able to rely on Bueckers the way they were used to before the WNBA break, as the 24-year-old is coming back with some battle wounds.
Paige Bueckers opens up on knee injury before WNBA season resumes
Bueckers spoke to the media after practice on Wednesday, frankly discussing the current status of her knee and how frustrated she is at the timing of the setback.
“I’m feeling good. Obviously, it’s tough dealing with patellar tendonitis. You never know what you’re going to get. It’s kind of unpredictable. You do your best. Being out of routine a little bit with the travel, with the jet lag. There were two back-to-backs. Flared up a little bit, so I just wanted to be cautious and take that approach. Obviously, the timing was frustrating.”
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The timeline Bueckers describes indicates that she reinjured her knee during Team USA’s group stage back-to-back games against Italy and Czechia.
The Wings resume their season on September 17 against the Los Angeles Sparks. Bueckers can afford to miss this game as the Sparks are already eliminated from playoff contention with a 15-25 record.
Paige Bueckers’ potential absence creates problems for the Wings
The Wings have a soft schedule in their final four games, with all games coming against already-eliminated teams.
Photo by Ali Gradischer/Getty Images
They follow up the Sparks clash with two games against the Phoenix Mercury (14-26) and a season-ending clash against the league-worst Seattle Storm (8-32).
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If she sits out all these games, the Wings likely won’t be able to move out of the No. 8 seed, currently in a three-way tie with the Mystics and Liberty, and just three games behind the No. 3 seed.
They had a realistic chance of climbing up the standings, but it might be hard without Bueckers.
The Wings have already lost guard Azzi Fudd to season-ending knee surgery, and will likely lean on Arike Ogunbowale and Odyssey Sims to help see them through any potential absence.
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