The Dallas Wings made a calculated, precautionary move by sitting their star rookie guard, Paige Bueckers, on Sunday afternoon ahead of their game against the Las Vegas Aces in Dallas.
The decision came as a surprise to fans, especially since Bueckers is not dealing with a new injury. Instead, the Wings chose to rest her to help prevent any future setbacks. Head coach Chris Koclanes emphasized that the choice wasn’t taken lightly but ultimately made sense given the team’s demanding schedule.
“We’re in the middle of a brutal stretch,” Koclanes explained.
While Bueckers’ competitive spirit is never in question, she’s been open about managing a long-term knee condition.
“I’ve had patellar tendinitis since high school,” Bueckers said on July 2. “It’s something I’ve always had to deal with. There’s really never a day it doesn’t hurt. Coming off a back-to-back where I just played 38 minutes, the next day usually isn’t great.”
