The Dallas Wings are set to host the Chicago Sky in Arlington on Saturday, but this time they’ll be without one of their biggest offseason additions — rookie guard Paige Bueckers. After logging 36 minutes in Thursday’s 97-92 loss to the Sky, Bueckers has been placed under the WNBA’s concussion protocol and will miss at least the next two games, as announced by the team on Friday.

Injury Report: Paige Bueckers Out, Harris Questionable

While it’s still unclear when exactly the head injury may have occurred during the last matchup, Bueckers’ absence leaves a significant void in the Wings’ backcourt. She had been gradually growing into her role as a facilitator, tallying 15 points, five rebounds, and eight assists in Thursday’s loss.

Dallas will also be monitoring guard Tyasha Harris, who is listed as day-to-day with a knee concern. Her availability could impact the Wings’ depth at the guard position even further.

For Chicago, rookie guard Hailey Van Lith remains questionable due to an ankle injury that sidelined her in their recent loss to Phoenix.

Who Starts in Place of Bueckers?

With Bueckers sidelined, head coach Chris Koclanes. faces a crucial decision on how to reshape the starting five. Options from the roster include Maddy Siegrist, Kaila Charles, JJ Quinerly, Luisa Geiselsoder, and Aziaha James. Teaira McCowan and Tyasha Harris could also factor in, though Harris’s availability is currently questionable. No matter who steps up, the Wings’ backcourt is bound to look different — but don’t expect it to lose its edge.

Predicted Starting Lineups

Dallas Wings

• G: Arike Ogunbowale (#24)
• G: Maddy Segrist 
• F: DiJonai Carrington (#21)
• F: NaLyssa Smith (#1)
• C: Teaira McCowan (#15)

Chicago Sky

• G: Courtney Vandersloot (#22)
• G: Ariel Atkins (#7)
• F: Kia Nurse (#11)
• F: Angel Reese (#5)
• C: Kamilla Cardoso (#10)

Sky Takes Confidence Into Game 2

Chicago stunned the Wings on Thursday, riding a career-high 23 points from Kamilla Cardoso and a record-setting night from veteran Courtney Vandersloot. Despite a season-high 37 points from Arike Ogunbowale — including a clutch 3-pointer that briefly gave Dallas the lead — the Sky closed on a 6-0 run to seal the victory.

Vandersloot’s 13-point, nine-assist performance not only fueled Chicago’s offense but also placed her atop the franchise’s all-time points and field goals list, surpassing her wife, Allie Quigley.

Angel Reese added her fingerprints on the win with six points, nine rebounds, and five assists, including the go-ahead basket with 1:21 left.

Matchup Preview & Prediction

Despite Thursday’s loss, the ESPN Matchup Predictor still gives the Wings a 70.3% chance to win Saturday’s rematch, a projection fueled by their stronger offensive metrics.

Dallas is putting up 85.3 points per game, compared to Chicago’s 79.2, and shooting at a higher clip—44.2% from the field versus the Sky’s 40.9%. While Chicago edges them out slightly on the boards with 37.6 rebounds per game to Dallas’ 34.5, the Wings’ ability to score efficiently keeps them in the driver’s seat. Playmaking is nearly even, with Dallas averaging 20.0 assists and Chicago narrowly ahead at 20.6. Still, numbers can’t always account for clutch execution—something the Sky have clearly found in recent games.

Without Bueckers, the pressure will fall squarely on Ogunbowale’s shoulders — and that’s not necessarily a bad thing. If she can replicate her 37-point explosion and get more support from Smith and Carrington, Dallas could even the season series at 1-1. But with the Sky carrying momentum, veteran leadership, and a rising frontcourt star in Cardoso, it’s tough to pick a clear favorite.

Prediction: Wings 89, Sky 85
(But expect another nail-biter in Arlington.)