Why was Paige Bueckers out during Lynx clash despite clearing concussion protocol?
The Dallas Wings hit a jackpot earlier this year when they got the first overall pick in the WNBA Draft 2025. Utilizing the opportunity, they picked the former UConn star Paige Bueckers, who was coming off a NCAA Championship win in the last year of her collegiate career. Bueckers, who averaged 19.8 ppg, 4.7 rpg and 4.6 apg throughout her college career, was the first overall pick. Needless to say, the Wings had high hopes for a better season after they finished in the 11th spot the previous season.
However, as luck would have it, the Wings had a disappointing beginning, where they could manage to secure only one win in the first ten games. Bueckers, on the other hand, got off to a strong start of her professional career. In her first game as Dallas’ Guard, the 23-year-old dropped 10 points, 7 rebounds, and two assists. In six games, she averaged 14.7 points, 4.7 rebounds, and 6.7 assists.
Just when the Wings thought that Bueckers had accustomed herself with the professional environment, she got injured. The star rookie had to sit out due to the WNBA’s concussion protocol after she banged heads with the Chicago Sky’s Courtney Vandersloot on Thursday, May 29. After missing three games due to the same, she was cleared on Saturday, and was expected to make a comeback.
However, the Wings announced last minute that Bueckers would remain out due to an unexpected illness, forcing her to miss her fourth game straight. She was listed out on the injury report, and was not medically ready to play in Sunday-night’s clash against the Minnesota Lynx. Her next opportunity to lace up for Dallas would be on Wednesday, June 11, when the Wings will be up against the Phoenix Mercury.
It goes without saying that the Dallas Wings have felt Paige Bueckers’ absence on the court. The Wings lost all their four games during her absence. Bueckers didn’t take much time to establish herself as the right choice for the Wings. In her six games, she was shooting 43.7% from the field and 33.3% from the three-point arc.
There is no denying that Bueckers is an exceptional player. She has had a standout career at UConn, including winning an NCAA championship as well as being named National Player of the Year. In the WNBA, her breakout performance of 21 points while shooting 80% helped the Wings secure their first and the only win of the season so far. The Wings are the only team in the season which doesn’t have multiple wins.
Needless to say, the Dallas-based franchise would want to see their star rookie lace up for them soon again, and help them break their losing skid.
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