Dallas Wings rookie standout Paige Bueckers recently opened up about the chronic knee issue that kept her out of the team’s June 28 game against the Washington Mystics. The team initially listed the injury as a knee problem, which sparked concern among fans due to Bueckers’ history of serious knee injuries.
However, head coach Chris Koclanes reassured reporters prior to the game that her absence was precautionary, explaining, “Just precautionary, some soreness. So just doing our due diligence and managing what’s best for her long-term health.”
Speaking with the media after practice on July 2, Bueckers clarified the situation further. “It’s tough. I want to be out there playing every game, every minute,” she said, via Grant Afseth’s YouTube video. “But I also know I have to be smart about it with how long the season is.”
Bueckers revealed she’s been managing patellar tendonitis since high school. “It’s not really load management—just smart management. It’s something I deal with constantly. There’s not really a day where it doesn’t hurt,” she explained.
She added that the timing of the injury—coming after logging 38 minutes on the second night of a back-to-back—made rest the best option. “It usually doesn’t feel great the day after, and this time, we didn’t have a rest day built in. So we decided it was best to sit and recover.”
Patellar tendonitis is a common issue among basketball players, and Bueckers acknowledged it’s something she’ll need to carefully manage throughout her career.
