“It was just a little clunky at times.” Dallas Wings coach Chris Koclanes commented on their performance without Paige Bueckers in the lineup. Bueckers has been more important than anyone expected in this Dallas lineup. As a rookie, she has orchestrated the offense and controlled the play while also providing 14.7 points, 6.7 assists, and 2.0 steals per game. Even if it was never reflected in the wins column, the Wings were gradually getting better on the court. And that’s when the injury hit. 

Bueckers has been out with a concussion protocol as she had a head injury. The injury took place late in the second quarter of the Chicago Sky game when Bueckers banged heads with Sky guard Courtney Vandersloot. Despite the impact, Bueckers played 36 minutes, scoring 15 points with eight assists and five rebounds. She indicated a headache after the game. a symptom that led the medical staff to put her on protocol.

The WNBA’s concussion protocol, first implemented in 2012 and refined over time, is designed to protect players’ long-term health. It doesn’t set a fixed number of games to miss, but players must pass through a strict return-to-play process, including neurological testing and symptom monitoring. With concussions becoming a bigger issue in the league, Shakira Austin’s recent struggles being a prime example, there’s no cutting corners. That’s why Bueckers’ status for the Sparks game is still uncertain as she moves through the final stages of clearance.

In the two games she has missed since then, the Wings have lost both and their attack has struggled without Bueckers. So will Koclanes have her wonder kid back for the game against Sparks? Let’s find out. 

Injury Report: Dallas Wings vs Los Angeles Sparks

Paige Bueckers: Day-to-Day (Concussion Protocol)

Tyasha Harris: Out (left knee injury)

Under the WNBA Concussion Protocol, any player diagnosed with a concussion must sit out a minimum of two games. Only after a thorough re-evaluation and medical clearance can they safely return to play. Now that two games are over, she was reevaluated after their Storm game but we don’t know yet whether she will take part in the upcoming game against Sparks. Meanwhile, Tyasha Harris is slated as out for this game against the Sparks on ESPN after missing three games. 

On the Los Angeles Sparks front, Cameron Brink remains out of contention along with Rae Burrell. Rickea Jackson has also been the victim of a head injury, as Jackson collided with Minnesota Lynx’s Alanna Smith while chasing a loose ball and fell to the ground. She has missed games because of personal reasons and not concussion protocol. After speculations of pregnancy were shut down by the player herself, she is expected to play in the Dallas game after practicing with the team. 

Projected Starters: Dallas Wings vs Los Angeles Sparks 

Dallas Wings:

• Myisha Hines-Allen
• NaLyssa Smith
• Maddy Siegrist
• Arike Ogunbowale 
• DiJonai Carrington 

“It’s tough not having a point guard,” Arike Ogunbowale said. “But at the end of the day, we’ve got to figure it out. Me and DiJonai [Carrington] are just trying to pick up the slack, figure out who’s taking the ball down and make it work.”  So Arike and Carrington will be rotating at point guard. Even if Bueckers returns, she will probably be in action later in the game and not start immediately. 

Los Angeles Sparks

• Dearica Hamby
• Azura Stevens
• Odyssey Sims
• Kelsey Plum
• Julie Allemand

Dallas Wings vs Los Angeles Sparks: Preview & Prediction

Surprisingly, the Dallas Wings are the favorites, according to the ESPN predictor, with a 66.5% chance to win against the Sparks. While both have similar forms with a 2-6 record for the Sparks and a 1-7 record for the Wings, Dallas is missing two key players, and they have no point guard. 

Without Paige Bueckers, the Dallas Wings have unraveled offensively. What was once a top-five unit in offensive rating has dropped significantly in her absence, now ranking ninth with just 97.0 points per 100 possessions. The offense, once dynamic with Bueckers orchestrating, has stalled as they have shot only 37.3% from the field and a dismal 25.7% from three-point range over the last two games. 

Turnovers have piled up as well, with 28 giveaways compared to just 33 assists, highlighting the team’s struggles with ball control and cohesion. While the Wings had shown promise with Bueckers at the helm, her absence has exposed the team’s lack of stability and playmaking in the backcourt. Although the Sparks haven’t been any better, ranking in the bottom half in all categories, they have been slightly better than the Wings on defense, and with the Wings attack looking toothless without Bueckers, they will look to contain the Koclanes’ side.  Also, they have Kelsey Plum, who has the ability to win games on her own and has been in great form this season, scoring 22.9 points and 4.9 assists per game. 

It will be a different story if Bueckers returns, the attack might get going again for Koclanes’ side. So maybe ESPN is considering her back for this game in their analysis. The question still remains if she will be at the same level she was before. Koclanes’ season hinges on Bueckers doing well; if she doesn’t, then he will likely be in trouble.