The Dallas Wings may not have much to play for at this point in the season, but that isn’t stopping Paige Bueckers from giving it her all.
Head coach Chris Koclanes told reporters pre-game that the 2025 No. 1 overall pick would suit up against the WNBA-leading Minnesota Lynx (31-8) on Monday night despite battling a calf injury.
Koclanes added that Bueckers would be on no minutes restriction, either.
The UConn product enters the game averaging 18.9 points, 3.8 rebounds, 5.4 assists and 1.6 steals in her first year as a pro. Bueckers leads all rookies in average scoring (fifth overall in the WNBA), while ranking second in steals, seventh in rebounds and eighth in three-point makes (1.2) per game.
Despite her success, however, the young star has battled injuries. Bueckers has missed eight games this year after dealing with a concussion, illness, back injury and a nagging calf problem.
While it’s unclear when the injury first occurred, the 23-year-old took a hard fall against the Indiana Fever on Aug. 12 and was slow to get up, albeit staying in the game. For what it’s worth, Bueckers was a full participant at shootaround on Monday morning while wearing a sleeve over her left calf area.
The Wings, meanwhile, have already been eliminated from playoff contention as they rank last in the WNBA with a 9-31 record.
Catch tip-off between Bueckers’ Wings and the Lynx at 8 p.m. ET / 5 p.m. PT on Sportsnet360 or Sportsnet+.
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