Dallas Wings Face Uncertainty After Paige Bueckers' Injury Against the Sparks

 

Despite continuing her hot streak, Paige Bueckers sustained an injury late in the fourth quarter in the Dallas Wings' matchup with the Los Angeles Sparks that has fans wondering her status in upcoming games.

Breaking Down Bueckers' Game vs. Los Angeles

On an absolute heater the past 8 games prior to the Dallas Wings' matchup with the Los Angeles Sparks, Paige Bueckers has been nothing short of dominate. This stretch of elite basketball didn't end for Bueckers against the Sparks as she put up yet another 25-point game. Including her performance in this matchup with the Sparks, Bueckers now averages 24.4 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 6.3 assists per game in her incredible 9-game stretch. To start off this contest with LA, Bueckers had it all going for Dallas from creating and knocking down her own shots to being the efficient ball facilitator is to lead her teammates to succeed. A consistent and reliable first half, Bueckers would contribute 12 points and 4 assists of her own to help put the Wings up 6 points at the half. Coming into the second half of play, Bueckers continued with this momentum and put up 13 more points connecting on a total of 10/18 shots from the field, along with 1 more assist. The entirety of this performance came before Bueckers would exit the game with just under four minutes remaining in the matchup. 

An Injury That Could Change Everything

A Concerning Exit for the Wings' Star

A frightening exit in one of the Wings' last games before the All-Star break, many fans are concerned for Bueckers after the contact she made with Nneka Ogwumike. Looking to take a charge against LA's Nneka Ogwumike with approximately 3:33 left in the fourth quarter, Bueckers and Ogwumike both experienced a hard collision. Taking the ball to the basketball while also guarded by Dallas Wings rookie guard and 2026 WNBA First-Overall Pick, Azzi Fudd, Ogwumike would slightly lose balance, falling into Bueckers. Appearing to have potentially reinjured her thumb, Ogwumike seemed okay after the collision while Bueckers remained down for a few minutes. It was in this heavy contact that not only would Bueckers' right knee take a hard hit from Ogwumike's body, but Bueckers' head also hit the floor. Thankfully, Bueckers was able to walk off on her own, though she would not reenter the game. Despite Bueckers' absence in the final minutes of what was a tight game with the Los Angeles Sparks, the Dallas Wings took the 90-82 victory.

The Road Ahead for Dallas After Bueckers' Injury

Because there were difficulties with the New York Liberty's flights ahead of what was scheduled to be their matchup with the Dallas Wings on July 16, 2026, the two teams will now face off tomorrow, July 20, 2026, at 8:00 pm EST. Not only is this a short turnaround for the Wings as they will be playing back-to-back days, but they may not even have their star guard, Paige Bueckers. Although it is not certain that Bueckers will or will not play tomorrow against the Liberty, Dallas has already taken 2 wins against New York and in the second of those two matchups, it was Dallas' Jessica Shepard that led the team in points, rebounds, and assists. Regardless of if Bueckers competes tomorrow, the Wings are in good hands as they still have a dangerous core in Jessica Shepard, Azzi Fudd, and Arike Ogunbowale. Following their matchup with the Liberty, the Wings have one more matchup before the All-Star break and it's against the Portland Fire. A hungry team in the midst of their first season back in 20 years, the Fire have everything it takes to play on the Wings' level. In fact, in their only other meeting this season, the Fire took a 1-point victory against the Wings. Will the Dallas Wings find success no matter Paige Bueckers' injury status as they close out their final two games before All-Star Weekend?

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