Dallas Wings’ Paige Bueckers Enters Concussion Protocol Before Chicago Sky Matchup, Tyasha Harris Update

Dallas Wings rookie guard Paige Bueckers has entered the WNBA’s concussion protocol and will miss at least two games, the team announced Friday. She will be sidelined Saturday against the Chicago Sky and Tuesday at the Seattle Storm before being reevaluated.

Bueckers sustained the injury during Thursday night’s 97–92 loss in Chicago, dropping the Wings’ record to 1-5 to start the season. She was initially scheduled to appear at the postgame press conference alongside head coach Chris Koclanes and Arike Ogunbowale, but was replaced by Teaira McCowan after receiving extended treatment. The treatment process was lengthy before the Wings departed Wintrust Arena.

The WNBA’s concussion policy, implemented in 2012, provides standardized procedures for identifying, treating, and clearing players before their return to action. According to “Concussions in the Women’s National Basketball Association,” published in the Orthopaedic Journal of Sports Medicine (2022), players who suffer first-time concussions typically miss a median of four games. The league’s more cautious approach to recovery has led to increased reporting and longer return timelines since the policy was adopted.

Paige Bueckers Enters Concussion Protocol, Tyasha Harris Update

Before her exit in Chicago, Bueckers recorded 15 points, five rebounds, eight assists, three steals, and a career-high three blocks in what was one of her most complete games of the season. She was coming off a performance helping guide a road victory against the Connecticut Sun with 21 points, five rebounds, seven assists, two steals, and one block.

The Wings could face further backcourt strain if Tyasha Harris remains sidelined. Harris was ruled out just before tipoff in Chicago after being listed as questionable with a left knee injury. However, she went through shootaround and participated in a pregame workout as a game-time decision before being downgraded, suggesting her return may not be far off; however, her status for Saturday is once again listed as questionable.

If both Bueckers and Harris are unavailable, Dallas may need to rely on rookies Aziaha James and JJ Quinerly for more minutes behind Ogunbowale. Quinerly played Thursday in a limited role, while James did not play after recording a career-high nine points in Connecticut.

Delay in Backcourt Chemistry-Building Process

Ogunbowale, who tied the WNBA’s highest scoring performance of the year with 37 points on Thursday, continued her strong start to the season with six 3-pointers, five rebounds, and seven assists. It was the 23rd 30-point game of her career, tying Tina Charles for eighth-most in league history.

“It looked like our chemistry took a little step,” Ogunbowale said of her connection with Bueckers. “But it’s still not where we want it to be. We definitely have to rebound better, especially in that first quarter. That kind of set the tone, and they were feeling good. We had to claw back.”

Asked how the backcourt is building that connection, Ogunbowale expressed she’s seeing growth on a daily basis throughout the process, but the team overall is adjusting.

“Just conversation. Conversations with coach, conversations with each other,” Ogunbowale explained. “It’s still early, and definitely frustrating, but it’s growing day by day. Our potential is great, but we need everybody, starting five and the bench. We’re building chemistry all throughout, one through 12.”

Missed Opportunities in Fourth Quarter

Dallas led by five entering the fourth quarter, but surrendered nine lead changes in the final period. Despite shooting a season-best 51.4% from the field and 90.9% from the free-throw line, the Wings committed 16 turnovers and couldn’t get critical stops late.

“We just struggled to get a stop down the stretch,” Koclanes said. “They kept running that pick and roll — Vandersloot in that pick-and-roll was drawing two and finding space to deliver it. They stepped up and made plays. It was back and forth. People were throwing punches. We just couldn’t get a stop down the stretch.”

“We did a lot of good things,” he added. “I thought we did enough to win that game. So, it doesn’t feel great, but there are still lots of positive moments we can build up.”

Dallas (1–5) will host the Sky (1–4) again on Saturday at College Park Center. Tipoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. CT on KFAA and WNBA League Pass.

“It doesn’t feel great,” Koclanes said. “But we get to see them again very quickly — now we get to watch and adjust. It’s about how we respond.”

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