Dallas Wings rookie guards Paige Bueckers and Aziaha James participated in shootaround Monday morning, a positive sign as they manage injuries ahead of the matchup against the Minnesota Lynx. Bueckers is listed as probable with a left calf issue, while James is doubtful with a right ankle injury.
Bueckers missed Wednesday’s loss to Connecticut due to illness but returned Friday to post 16 points and 10 assists in Atlanta, recording her second career double-double. She has averaged 18.9 points, 3.8 rebounds, and 5.4 assists in 32 games this season, leading the shorthanded Wings in multiple categories. James, meanwhile, had 22 points and six assists in the game against Connecticut before exiting late due to injury and being sidelined against Atlanta.
Dallas Wings Continue to Navigate Injuries
Dallas (9-31) has battled through one of the league’s lengthiest injury reports. Eight players are currently listed: Bueckers (probable, left calf), Luisa Geiselsöder (out, right shoulder), Tyasha Harris (out, left knee), James (doubtful, right ankle), Haley Jones (out, right knee), Arike Ogunbowale (out, right knee), JJ Quinerly (out, left knee), and Li Yueru (out, left knee).
With only eight available players against Atlanta on Friday, three recent hardship signings carried rotation minutes. Amy Okonkwo has averaged 11.3 points in her first four appearances, while Christyn Williams debuted that night, reuniting with her former UConn teammate Bueckers.
“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.”
Looking for Answers in Minnesota
The Wings enter Monday on a seven-game losing streak and have only one win in their past 13 contests. Still, head coach Chris Koclanes praised Bueckers’ ability to balance scoring and playmaking despite defenses loading against her.
“She takes what the defense gives her,” Koclanes told DallasHoopsJournal.com. “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.”
Bueckers, a Hopkins, Minnesota native, will play in her home state for the second time since entering the league. Over the weekend, the Lynx (31-8) clinched the WNBA’s top seed and home-court advantage throughout the playoffs.
Tipoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. CT at Target Center, airing locally on KFAA29 and nationally on NBA TV.
More Dallas Wings News & WNBA Rumors
- WNBA News: Kayla McBride Downgraded to Out as Minnesota Lynx Host Shorthanded Dallas Wings
- WNBA News: Paige Bueckers’ Calf Issue Headlines Eight-Player Dallas Wings Injury Report vs. Minnesota Lynx
- WNBA News: “We’ll Figure This Thing Out”: Paige Bueckers Echoes Stephen Curry in Message to Dallas Wings Fans
- WNBA News: “She Shows Up Every Night”: Cynthia Cooper Lauds Paige Bueckers’ Historic Rookie Season With Dallas Wings
- WNBA News: “We’ve Got Eight, and That’s Enough”: Shorthanded Dallas Wings Fight Before Falling to Atlanta Dream in Paige Bueckers’ Return
- WNBA News: Paige Bueckers Says Body Rejected IV Before Late Scratch, Feels ‘Ready to Go’ vs. Atlanta Dream
- WNBA News: Inside Dallas Wings’ Navigation of Hardship Signings Amid Injury Crisis
- WNBA News: “Paige Will Be a Unifier”: Curt Miller Details Dallas Wings’ Roster Plan Around Paige Bueckers
