It was about time that the Dallas Wings started firing. Fans and analysts expected the Wings to be one of the weaker teams this season, but with the addition of No.1 Draft pick Paige Bueckers and WNBA mainstay Arike Ogunbowale, they at least wanted a fight. The Wings showed none of it till the 13th game of the season. Since then, they are 4-2 with one of the losses coming in OT. 

It was looking onwards and upwards despite their injuries, but now their second-best player and veteran Ogunbowale is out with a thumb injury for an unspecified amount of time. Along with her, Maddy Siegrist remains sidelined. DiJonai Carrington is listed as doubtful, while Myisha Hines-Allen is questionable after participating in limited portions of Tuesday’s practice. That is almost half of their roster, and even Bueckers missed the recent game against the Mystics, but she seems to be back. The star rookie, however, is used to such squad situations from the UConn days, as she told the media at the recent conference. 

Bueckers said, “Unfortunately, I have kind of been through this in terms of being shorthanded and not having the full roster at UConn. That was kind of the theme of my career. So used to it. Next woman up, um, whoever we got.”

Paige Bueckers’ UConn career was heavily impacted by injuries, both her own and those of her teammates. She suffered a tibial plateau fracture and torn meniscus in December 2021, which sidelined her for nearly three months, and then tore her ACL in August 2022, causing her to miss the entire 2022–23 season. These setbacks likely delayed her WNBA debut by at least a year.

Even during seasons when Bueckers was healthy, UConn frequently lacked a full roster. Azzi Fudd missed most of the 2022–23 campaign with a knee injury and then the entire 2023–24 season due to an ACL tear. Aubrey Griffin suffered an ACL tear in January 2024. Jana El Alfy missed 2023–24 with a torn Achilles, while Ice Brady was out for 2022–23 due to a dislocated patella.

These players, once fully recovered, played pivotal roles in UConn’s 2024–25 national championship run. It is reasonable to believe that had the team stayed healthy in earlier seasons, Bueckers and the Huskies might have captured more titles during her college career. However, legendary UConn coach taught the players to be resilient, and that sentiment echoed in what Bueckers said next.

She further said, “We feel like we have enough, and it just kind of makes you feel like the underdog in a sense of you’re you’re kind of beating the odds. So it’s actually kind of fun, um, to play where the odds are stacked against you and you’re playing six people and six people available. Um, but we feel like uh our roster is built to where we can handle it, and so it’s kind of exciting actually.”

The Dallas Wings currently have five players sidelined for their upcoming game against the Phoenix Mercury, the highest number of injuries for any team in the league right now. As we’ve discussed, the timing couldn’t be more challenging. Still, Paige Bueckers’ elite mentality could be a rallying force for the rest of the available roster.

The healthy group enters this matchup with confidence. Bueckers is having a rookie season to remember, providing both leadership and production. Li Yueru has found renewed energy in Dallas and is finally getting the minutes she had been seeking. Luisa Geiselsöder and Teaira McCowan are coming off strong performances at EuroBasket, bringing valuable momentum. Meanwhile, JJ Quinerly and Aziaha James made significant impressions in the Wings’ recent win over the Washington Mystics. All things considered, despite the adversity, the team has reason to feel optimistic.

Bueckers Shares How She’s Managing Lingering Pain

Things could have been far worse for the Dallas Wings if Paige Bueckers‘ injury had been serious. Fortunately, she is not listed on the injury report for the upcoming game against the Phoenix Mercury, and she is expected to return to action, potentially off the bench. Bueckers, who has a well-documented history of knee injuries, sat out the previous game against the Mystics due to soreness in her right knee. Although it is the opposite knee from the one she injured in college, the news still raised concerns among fans. Speaking about her recovery and playing time, Bueckers acknowledged the challenge of managing her condition.

“It is difficult, but at the same time I want to play 40 minutes, I want to play every single game,” she said. “But also being smart and understanding the fact that there is a long season and I want to have a long career ahead.”

Despite Bueckers’ out, the team defeated the Mystics with JJ Quinerly at point guard. Before sitting out, Bueckers had been playing significant minutes, averaging 35.6 per game. It appears the coaching staff has taken note, with head coach Chris Koclanes calling her absence a precautionary measure. With several players already injured, the team is being careful not to overburden their rookie star. Bueckers also spoke honestly about a long-standing issue.

“I’ve been dealing with patellar tendinitis since I was in high school,” she said. “In a sense, you’re managing it at all times. There’s no day where it probably doesn’t hurt.”

Patellar tendinitis, also known as jumper’s knee, is a chronic overuse condition that causes pain where the patellar tendon connects the kneecap to the shinbone. It is especially common among athletes who rely on jumping and explosive movements, and it often worsens with consistent stress.

With this in mind, the Wings are expected to gradually bring Bueckers back to full-time play. Carefully managing her minutes and providing regular rest will be essential to preserving both her health and her value on the court. Her expected return is an encouraging sign, not only for the immediate matchup but also for the long-term plans Dallas is building around her. The team has also shuffled their squad with the NaLyssa Smith trade to go with others, and it seems they have clear plans set for the future. The Wings will look to continue their great form when they face the Phoenix Mercury next.