‘Good Enough to Play’: Paige Bueckers Managing Back Injury After Return Against Washington Mystics
Dallas Wings guard Paige Bueckers says she will continue to play through a back injury that sidelined her earlier in the week, downplaying the issue after logging 32 minutes in Sunday’s 91–78 loss to the Washington Mystics.
“I’m feeling alright. Good enough to play,” Bueckers said after the game. “I’m not gonna make any excuses, so I’m feeling alright.”
Bueckers, who wore a wrap while sitting on the bench between stints on the floor, finished with 17 points on 5-of-9 shooting, 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 in WNBA history by a rookie, and matched Swin Cash for third in franchise history for most 15-plus point games by a first-year player (19).
Paige Bueckers Returns After a Missed Game
The rookie guard had missed Friday’s game against the New York Liberty after initially suffering what she described as a “pulled muscle” in her back during Tuesday’s loss in New York. She left that game midway through the third quarter after feeling tightness while dribbling up the court, returned in the fourth, and said afterward she hoped the injury would not keep her out for long.
“I just got it checked out,” Bueckers said last week. “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.”
Sunday’s appearance marked a quick return for Bueckers, but it’s clear she will be managing the injury moving forward. The Wings have not yet released their injury report for Tuesday’s game against the Indiana Fever.
Offensive Impact for Dallas Wings and August Surge
Bueckers has been a central figure in the Wings’ offense all season, averaging 18.6 points, 4.1 rebounds, and 5.4 assists. In August, she elevated her production, averaging 20.0 points, 5.0 rebounds, 3.7 assists, and 1.7 steals while shooting 52.6% from the field over three games.
Her absence on Friday forced Dallas to adopt a “by committee” approach, with Maddy Siegrist, Haley Jones, and Grace Berger all adjusting their roles to handle additional ball-handling and playmaking duties. While Bueckers was back in the lineup Sunday, the Wings struggled to maintain their early lead, getting outscored 61–37 in the second half by Washington.
Dallas will be mindful of keeping Bueckers healthy down the stretch as they continue a challenging schedule that includes a road-heavy finish to the regular season. The Wings’ next game is against the Indiana Fever on Tuesday in a nationally televised matchup at Gainbridge Fieldhouse.
More Dallas Wings News & WNBA Rumors
- 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: “We’re Taking a Little Bit of the OKC Model”: Curt Miller on the Dallas Wings’ Roster Approach Around Paige Bueckers, DiJonai Carrington Trade and More
- WNBA News: Dallas Wings’ Paige Bueckers Earns Second Consecutive WNBA Rookie of the Month Honor
