Dallas Wings’ Paige Bueckers Cleared to Play, Aziaha James Sidelined vs. Minnesota Lynx

Grant AfsethSeptember 1, 2025September 1, 2025no comment

Photo by Sam Hodde/Getty Images

Dallas Wings rookie guards Paige Bueckers and Aziaha James both participated in shootaround Monday morning as the team enters a matchup against the Minnesota Lynx. The team has released additional status updates before tonight’s game against, upgrading Bueckers to available, but ruling out James.

Bueckers, managing a left calf issue, went through drills wearing a sleeve on her leg. She is cleared to play in Monday’s matchup against the Minnesota Lynx.

James remains out with a right ankle injury, but her involvement in the morning session was considered an encouraging sign after she went down late in last week’s game against Connecticut.

Paige Bueckers Returns to Minnesota

The Wings (9-31) arrive in Minneapolis having dropped seven straight and 12 of their past 13. Bueckers, who grew up in Hopkins, Minnesota, returns home for just the second time since entering the league. She has been Dallas’ steady presence despite limited depth, averaging 18.9 points, 3.8 rebounds, and 5.4 assists in 32 games.

Her most recent performance included 16 points and 10 assists in Atlanta, her second career double-double. Head coach Chris Koclanes credited the 23-year-old guard for balancing scoring and playmaking while defenses key in on her.

“She takes what the defense gives her,” Koclanes said. “She moved the ball, found cutters, and made the right reads. She balances her own scoring with getting teammates involved. She’s such a team player.”

Aziaha James Sidelined but Making Progress

James will miss her second consecutive contest after spraining her ankle against Connecticut. She had 22 points and six assists in that outing before leaving late in the fourth quarter.

The Wings continue to patch together a rotation with eight players unavailable, including veterans Arike Ogunbowale (right knee tendonitis) and Tyasha Harris (left knee). Luisa Geiselsöder (right shoulder), Haley Jones (right knee), and James (right ankle) are also sidelined. JJ Quinerly (left knee) and Li Yueru (left knee) remain out with ACL sprains.

Three hardship signees have shouldered minutes, highlighted by Amy Okonkwo (11.3 points per game in four appearances). Christyn Williams made her WNBA debut Friday, reuniting with her former UConn teammate Bueckers, while Serena Sundell has also logged minutes after joining under the hardship exception.

“I’m just super excited overall,” Williams told DallasHoopsJournal.com. “This is my first official WNBA game, so I’m super grateful for the opportunity and I’m excited to be able to play with Paige again.”

The Lynx (31-8) clinched the league’s top seed over the weekend and holds home-court advantage through the playoffs. Tipoff is set for 7 p.m. CT at Target Center, with coverage on KFAA29 locally and NBA TV nationally.

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Grant Afseth

Senior Writer

Grant Afseth is a Senior Writer for DallasHoopsJournal.com, where he leads in-depth coverage of the Mavericks, Wings, and more. Between a focus on the latest news, closer looks at games, front office strategy, and more, Afseth provides objective coverage. Afseth contributes broader NBA coverage across platforms and has been cited in national outlets for his reporting and analysis. With nearly a decade of journalism experience, Afseth has covered the NBA and WNBA for multiple major outlets, including Athlon Sports, BallIsLife, Sportskeeda, and RG.org. He previously reported on the Indiana Pacers for CNHI’s Kokomo Tribune and the Mavericks for FanNation.

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