Dallas Wings Share Key Injury Update for Paige Bueckers Before Washington Mystics Matchup
Rookie guard Paige Bueckers and forward Myisha Hines-Allen are both available to return to the Dallas Wings’ lineup Sunday afternoon when they host the Washington Mystics at College Park Center. Bueckers was initially listed as probable with a back injury after missing Friday’s game against the New York Liberty. Meanwhile, Hines-Allen played against New York after being a game-time decision.
Bueckers described the injury as a “pulled muscle” suffered during Tuesday’s loss in New York. She briefly left the game midway through the third quarter after feeling tightness in her back while dribbling up the court, then returned for the fourth quarter after treatment.
“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.”
She added that she hopes to avoid missing extended time.
“I’m hoping it won’t take me out,” Bueckers said. “I’ll get some treatment, get some rest, take some medicine. So I’m hoping it doesn’t take me out.”
Playing Without Paige Bueckers is a ‘By Committee’ Challenge
Bueckers’ absence on Friday left the Wings without a player averaging 18.6 points, 4.1 rebounds, and 5.4 assists this season. Teammates acknowledged that replacing her production would take multiple players.
It was unclear if Bueckers would play against the Liberty on Friday, but after being evaluated close to game time, the team determined it was best for her not to play. She went on to not go through a regular pre-game workout before being announced as out.
When Bueckers sat out Friday’s loss to New York, her teammates knew replacing her impact would take multiple players. Maddy Siegrist, who recently returned from injury, said the Wings approached it collectively.
“No one’s going to be able to do what she does, obviously,” Siegrist said. “We’ve had a lot of different people bring up the ball recently, so I think that honestly helps. But it’s definitely by committee.”
Haley Jones said she had to take on a different mindset in Bueckers’ absence.
“I think that Paige brings a lot with facilitating, playmaking, or scoring herself,” Jones said. “I’ve been in a facilitating role, so today without her, I have to think more aggressively, get on the rim more, and be more of a primary ball handler—not just facilitating.”
Grace Berger echoed that approach.
“I don’t think one person can replace Paige,” Berger said. “I’m going to go out there and try to be another ball handler since she handles the ball a lot for us. I’ll just try to play my game, not try to be Paige—nobody can do that.”
Dallas Wings Seek Series Win Over Washington Mystics
The Wings (8-23) are coming off an 88-77 loss to New York on Friday, when they battled back from a 19-point deficit but fell short. Ogunbowale had a game-high 17 points while the Dallas bench outscored the Liberty’s reserves 44-20, led by Siegrist’s 15 points.
Sunday’s matchup will be the third and final meeting between Dallas and Washington (13-17) this season. Each team has won on its home floor, with Ogunbowale scoring 27 points in a June 22 overtime loss in D.C. and Aziaha James posting 15 points in a June 28 victory in Arlington.
The game will feature three of the top four picks from the 2025 WNBA Draft — Bueckers (No. 1), Washington’s Sonia Citron (No. 3), and Kiki Iriafen (No. 4) — all of whom were All-Star selections in July.
Midseason additions Li Yueru and Jones have been productive for Dallas. In 19 games, Yueru is averaging career highs of 7.3 points and 6.4 rebounds, while Jones is averaging 8.2 points and shooting 47.3% from the field over 13 games. Luisa Geiselsöder, who joined the team this year after being drafted in 2020, leads all second-round rookies in scoring at 7.4 points per game.
Tipoff is scheduled for 3 p.m. CT, and the game will be broadcast on CBS Sports Network and KFAA29 in the Dallas-Fort Worth area.
More Dallas Wings News & WNBA Rumors
- 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: “Preparing to Be in the Playoffs”: Diamond Miller Settling Into Role With Dallas Wings
- WNBA News: “We Gave Them Too Many Open Shots”: Paige Bueckers Scores 21 as Dallas Wings Fall to New York Liberty After Second Half Slide
- WNBA News: Dallas Wings’ Paige Bueckers Earns Second Consecutive WNBA Rookie of the Month Honor
