‘Adrenaline Is a Hell of a Drug’: Paige Bueckers Managing Back Injury as Dallas Wings Share Status vs. Indiana Fever
The Dallas Wings listed guard Paige Bueckers (back) and forward Myisha Hines-Allen (left ankle) as probable for Tuesday’s nationally televised matchup against the Indiana Fever. Tyasha Harris (left knee) remains out for the season.
Bueckers first suffered the injury during the third quarter of the Wings’ 85–76 loss to the New York Liberty on Aug. 5, when she felt tightness while dribbling the ball up the floor.
“I just got it checked out,” Bueckers said after that game. “I think it’s just a pulled muscle. I felt a strain, felt it tighten, so I’m just going to get it worked out, take some medicine, and go from there. I’m hoping it won’t take me out.”
She left briefly for evaluation, received stretching and massage gun treatment to prevent stiffness, and returned for the fourth quarter. Despite the setback, Bueckers scored 21 points, grabbed eight rebounds, and dished out four assists.
Paige Bueckers is Balancing Longevity
Speaking before Sunday’s game against Washington — her first appearance since the injury — Bueckers said her back was feeling better after several days of rest and treatment.
“The back is feeling better,” Bueckers said. “It was just like cold muscles, so I’ve been resting, recovering, and getting lots of treatment. I’m feeling good.”
Asked about managing the physical demands of the WNBA after nearly a year of nonstop basketball, Bueckers emphasized the need for balance.
“It’s about finding that balance, knowing how long I want my career to be, how long I want to keep playing, and staying healthy,” Bueckers said. “I have to put my body first and prioritize that, while also being a competitor who wants to play in every single game. Rest and recovery are the most important parts during this slow stretch of the season. It’s about finding the balance in all these things.”
Dallas Wings Star is Playing Through the Pain
In Sunday’s 91–78 loss to the Mystics, Bueckers logged 32 minutes, scoring 17 points on 5-of-9 shooting with three rebounds, three assists, and two steals. She extended her streak of consecutive double-digit scoring games to 25, tying Caitlin Clark for the fifth-longest by a rookie in WNBA history, and matched Swin Cash for third in franchise history for most 15-plus point games by a first-year player (19).
She admitted the injury remains a constant factor, even if it fades during games.
“You kind of get a better handle on it,” Bueckers said. “It’s annoying at times because it’s always there, it’s constant. But like I’ve said, I rest, recover, and get my body ready to go. Adrenaline is a hell of a drug — once the game starts, it kind of goes away, and then you feel it the day after. It’s just something you deal with.”
Looking Ahead to Indiana Fever Matchup
Bueckers has been a key offensive driver for Dallas all season, averaging 18.6 points, 4.1 rebounds, and 5.4 assists. In August, she’s posted 20.0 points, 5.0 rebounds, 3.7 assists, and 1.7 steals while shooting 52.6% from the field in three games.
Hines-Allen, also probable for Tuesday, has been a reliable interior presence, while Harris’ absence continues to thin the backcourt rotation. The Wings enter a critical stretch, starting with Tuesday’s game at Gainbridge Fieldhouse.
More Dallas Wings News & WNBA Rumors
- WNBA News: “Good Enough to Play”: Paige Bueckers Managing Back Injury After Return Against Washington Mystics
- WNBA News: “Our Intensity Has to Stay the Same”: Dallas Wings’ Strong Start Fades in Loss to Washington Mystics
- WNBA News: “Paige Will Be a Unifier”: Curt Miller Details Dallas Wings’ Roster Plan Around Paige Bueckers
- WNBA News: “We’re Really Excited About Arike”: Curt Miller Outlines Arike Ogunbowale’s Prominent Role in Dallas Wings’ Plans
- WNBA News: “We Need to Put Two Halves Together”: Dallas Wings’ Rally Falls Short Without Paige Bueckers in Loss to New York Liberty
- WNBA News: Dallas Wings’ Paige Bueckers Earns Second Consecutive WNBA Rookie of the Month Honor
