Dallas Wings Provide Official Injury Update on Paige Bueckers 24 Hours After She Was Seen Limping to the Locker Room

Paige Bueckers had the entire Dallas Wings fanbase collectively holding their breath for a moment. While grabbing a rebound against the Phoenix Mercury, Bueckers’ ankle landed awkwardly, giving rise to an injury scare. She was flat on the ground for a few seconds before limping back to the locker room. However, the Wings’ point guard returned spectacularly. She dropped a season-high 31 points and 6 rebounds along with 5 assists. But the concerns remain as the Wings approach Portland. 

“It kind of just rolled, kind of gave out a little bit on a rebound. That’s why I don’t rebound—just kidding,” Bueckers joked after the game. “Once it rolls, it rolls right back. I just had to go in the back and get taped… I didn’t really feel it during the game. I just wanted to power through and help the team get a win, and I’m sure I’ll do everything possible to get recovered and have it feeling better by tomorrow.”

Now, the Wings’ star is listed as questionable for their next game against Portland, according to the WNBA injury reports page. 

Paige Bueckers’ injury history reads like a medical file: ACL tears, tibial plateau fracture, and lateral meniscus tears. But, while the knee injuries have defined her injury history, she also had a right ankle surgery in 2021. The procedure was to repair an osteochondral defect on her right ankle. Osteochondral defects are described as joint damage involving the bone and cartilage, and it was a pre-existing situation during her freshman year. 

That 2021 ankle surgery may haunt her now. The Wings aren’t taking chances. However, she hasn’t had to sit out games to rest her ankle regularly despite undergoing surgery so far.

Regardless, she could still miss the Fire games to give herself a breather, along with the injury. She is playing 32.4 minutes a game, and the Fire game is on the road with a short turnaround time of 48 hours. 

Last season, Bueckers admitted that her knee surgeries and the chronic condition would require her to get some rest in back-to-back games. Her ankle injury, coupled with that, could affect her availability for the Fire matchup. Naturally, it would be a monumental loss for the Wings, who sit at 5th in the league, and are trying to build consistency after winning their previous game.

Bueckers is averaging a team-high 18.7 points and 5.7 assists per game. She is currently shooting 52.3% from the field and 42.9% from the 3-point line. However, the news gets worse for Dallas Wings fans as their point guard rotation becomes thinner.

Dallas Wings Guard Rotation Affected As Odyssey Sims Remains Out

The Wings have a solid point guard backup to Paige Bueckers in Odyssey Sims. But she suffered an ankle injury in the matchup against the Sparks. Sims went down in the first half and was seen in immense pain as teammates helped her up. She was taken off the court in a wheelchair and was seen in a boot during practice.

According to the injury report, Sims remains ruled out for the game against Portland. She will miss her fourth consecutive game, and her return timeline remains unknown. If Bueckers remains out for this game, Jose Fernandez could go with Aziaha James in the starting lineup. 

James has played 12.2 minutes per game while averaging 6.6 points, 1.3 assists, and 2.3 rebounds. However, she had a more important role under the previous head coach, Chris Koclanes, last year, and has shown that she can handle the responsibility whenever required. Alternatively, he could go with a more size-heavy lineup by adding Awak Kuier or Alanna Smith. 

Their defense in the paint has come under scrutiny recently, which could be exploited by Portland. Smith is averaging an inefficient 8.2 points this season, but the Portland matchup could spark her comeback. She is the reigning Defensive Player Of The Year after all. 

Portland won’t wait for Dallas to get healthy. The Wings must win without their two best guards. The Wings look settled enough with an 8-4 record, but they need to keep the momentum going through these injuries. 

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