Paige Bueckers Discloses World Cup Injury, WNBA Return Hangs in the Balance

It’s never easy to admit you’re hurt, especially when you’re the centerpiece of a franchise. Still, Dallas Wings guard Paige Bueckers opened up this week, telling reporters that she picked up an injury during the recent FIBA Women’s World Cup.

“I’ve been feeling a little tightness in my right knee since the tournament,” Bueckers said, chuckling softly before her tone grew more serious. “It’s not something that happened in a big crash or a hard fall—just a little nag that’s been bothering me for a few days now.”

The 23‑year‑old, who recently celebrated her first gold medal with Team USA, said the soreness started late in the final round of play, when the competition was at its most intense. “We were pushing hard, I was trying to finish the play, and that’s when I felt the first twinge,” she explained.

Since returning to Dallas, Bueckers has been undergoing a regimen of ice, compression and light rehab work. Her team’s medical staff has been monitoring the situation closely, running scans and making adjustments to her training load.

“We’re being cautious,” said Wings head coach José Fernández, who added that the health of his star guard is the top priority. “Paige has been phenomenal all season, but we don’t want to risk a longer‑term setback. We’ll know more in the next couple of days.”

That uncertainty ripples through the Wings’ locker room. With the regular season winding down and the playoff picture sharpening, every game matters. Teammates have rallied around Bueckers, offering encouragement and stepping up in practice to fill any gaps.

For fans, the news is bittersweet. While they’re thrilled to see their hometown hero bring home an international gold medal, they’re also anxious to see her back on the court, where she’s averaged over 21 points and 7 assists per game this season.

Until a final clearance comes from the medical team, the Wings will likely have to prepare for a scenario where Bueckers sits out the next matchup against the Phoenix Mercury. In the meantime, the guard remains optimistic. “I’m staying positive,” she said. “I’ll do whatever it takes to get healthy and help the team win.”