Dallas Wings rookie Paige Bueckers is officially cleared to return after missing three games while in concussion protocol, the team announced on Saturday. She will be available on Sunday night against the Minnesota Lynx — an undefeated team that Dallas almost upset earlier this season.
Bueckers was sidelined after the Wings’ 97-92 loss to the Chicago Sky on May 29. Coach Chris Koclanes said Bueckers saw a doctor after telling the staff she had a headache.
Her return was much awaited for the Wings, who are still working out a lot of kinks and are currently last in the league with a 1-8 record. Dallas couldn’t get the job done in her absence and is now the only WNBA team without multiple wins.
Bueckers’ rookie year so far
The No. 1 overall draft pick was off to a strong start before entering concussion protocol. At UConn, Bueckers was known for her versatility on offense and strong defensive prowess. Her skills have translated to the box score as she averaged 14.7 points, 4.7 rebounds, 6.7 assists and 2.0 steals in her first six games. Buecker’s breakout game of 21 points on 80% shooting led to Dallas’ first win of the season in a 109-87 victory against the Connecticut Sun on May 27.
Missing games, and the Wings’ struggles, cost her the first Rookie of the Month recognition, which went to former Stanford and USC star Kiki Iriafen. However, Bueckers is still considered one of the favorites to win Rookie of the Year.
Wings needed their point guard back
Bueckers being in concussion protocol was a tough blow for the Wings, but what made it even more challenging is that Tyasha Harris has also been out because of a left knee injury — leaving the team without a traditional point guard.
As Koclanes pointed out, rookie JJ Quinerly was left as the only player on the roster with real experience running the point but she hadn’t played that position since high school. The former West Virginia guard gave Dallas some minutes off the bench, while starter Dijonai Carrington took on most of the point guard responsibilities.
The team was already struggling with moving the ball, and Koclanes said the 93-79 loss to the Sparks on Friday exposed them the most because they allowed 21 points off 15 turnovers.
Dallas’ backcourt is a work in progress
Even before Bueckers got sidelined, the backcourt hadn’t reached its potential and was still working on chemistry. The addition of Bueckers meant Arike Ogunbowale — who had previously carried the Wings offense — was going to have to adjust. Ogunbowale is still working on having productive games without taking as many shots, and also making an impact when the ball is not in her hands.
She did have a 37-point game on May 29 against Chicago, but she has not found consistency this season and registered just 8 points in each of the last two games.
Bueckers is also still not playing as aggressively as she could be, and her lack of experience in the WNBA shows at times. She had a really strong game against the Sun, but she has had three games shooting 30% or under from the floor.
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