‘Hoping It Won’t Take Me Out’: Paige Bueckers Details Back Injury After Dallas Wings’ Loss to New York Liberty
Paige Bueckers called her back injury a “pulled muscle” after briefly exiting the Dallas Wings’ 85-76 loss to the New York Liberty on Tuesday night.
Bueckers left the game midway through the third quarter after grabbing at her back. She spent time on the stationary bike before heading to the locker room for evaluation. She returned to the bench by the start of the fourth quarter, flashing a thumbs-up to Wings assistant coach Nola Henry, and re-entered the game for the final period.
“Yeah, I mean, I’m all right,” Bueckers said. “I just got it checked out. 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.”
Injury Happened Mid-Game but Did Not Sideline Paige Bueckers for Long
The injury occurred without contact during a routine play.
“I think it was in the third quarter,” Bueckers said. “I was just dribbling the ball up and I felt a sort of tightness come along. It was pretty random.”
Bueckers said she underwent treatment to stay loose and prevent stiffness before returning to action.
“I went back to get it evaluated really quick,” she said. “Did a lot of stretching, some massage gun treatment, just tried to work it out and not let it get stiff before I went back in.”
As for her availability moving forward, Bueckers described her status as day-to-day.
“I’m hoping it won’t take me out,” she said. “I’ll get some treatment, get some rest, take some medicine. So I’m hoping it doesn’t take me out.”
Offensive Rhythm Continues Amid Physical Setback
Bueckers finished with 21 points, eight rebounds and four assists, extending her streak of 20-plus point games to four. She credited her teammates and the coaching staff for helping her find a balance between scoring and facilitating.
“I think it’s a mix of hunting mismatches, attacking off screens, and creating out of isolation, while also making sure my teammates stay in a rhythm,” Bueckers told DallasHoopsJournal.com. “We’re moving and changing sides of the ball so I don’t get too ball-dominant. It’s about finding a balance between looking for my own shot and getting my teammates involved.”
“Their screening, getting me open, and allowing me the space to go to work is really a credit to my teammates and coaches for putting me in great positions,” Bueckers added. “I’m just trying to feed off those opportunities.”
Maddy Siegrist Returns, Paige Bueckers Praises Chemistry
Tuesday’s game also marked the return of Maddy Siegrist, who had been sidelined for two months with a knee injury. Siegrist scored 13 points in her first game back.
“She’s huge for this team,” Bueckers said. “She’s literally one of the most experienced players playing here with the Wings.”
“Having that experience and versatility—she can score at all three levels, gets a ton of rebounds, has a hundred percent crash rate—she’s just creating extra opportunities for us on offense,” Bueckers said. “She communicates really well, so her presence is huge.”
Before the season, Bueckers had expressed excitement about playing alongside Siegrist rather than facing off against her. After sharing the floor on Tuesday, she said their chemistry is already taking shape.
“Yeah, I think we have great chemistry,” she said. “We play alike and we feed off each other. We know each other’s tendencies because we play a similar style of basketball, so it’s been fun playing with her.”
New York Liberty Avenge Earlier Loss, Dallas Wings Eye Adjustments
The Liberty (19-10) controlled the rematch from the opening tip, avenging last week’s 92-82 loss to Dallas. Jonquel Jones led New York with 15 points and 10 rebounds, while Leonie Fiebich added 14 points. Emma Meesseman scored 13 in her first home game since returning to the WNBA.
Bueckers’ two free throws tied the game at 34 late in the first half, but Stephanie Talbot responded with a 3-pointer to give the Liberty a lead they would not relinquish. Talbot finished with 13 points, and Sabrina Ionescu was held to nine.
The Wings (8-22) managed to stay within reach through three quarters before the Liberty pulled away in the final period.
Bueckers noted that New York’s three-point shooting, particularly out of scramble situations, was a key factor in the Liberty’s second-half surge.
“I think they shot the three-ball extremely well,” Bueckers told DallasHoopsJournal.com. “A lot of it was out of rotations, scrambles, and traps that we had on Sabrina. So we have to adjust in-game, knowing how well they’re shooting from three, trying to run them off the line, and get them more into the paint.”
The Wings and Liberty will meet again Friday night at College Park Center. Bueckers’ status for the rematch will be monitored in the coming days.
More Dallas Wings News & WNBA Rumors
- WNBA News: Dallas Wings Waive Karlie Samuelson, Will Oversee Rehab Through Offseason
- WNBA News: Dallas Wings’ Paige Bueckers Earns Second Consecutive WNBA Rookie of the Month Honor
- WNBA News: “There Will Be Big Minutes”: Dallas Wings to Lean on Diamond Miller, Maddy Siegrist After DiJonai Carrington Trade
- WNBA News: Dallas Wings Trade DiJonai Carrington to Minnesota Lynx, Acquire Diamond Miller, Karlie Samuelson
