Paige Bueckers gives health update after World Cup final

Paige Bueckers’ brilliant run at the 2026 FIBA Women’s World Cup ended on an alarming note this past Sunday, as the former UConn women’s basketball star logged just three minutes in the final against France.

Speaking with reporters Wednesday, Bueckers stated that her playing time was limited due to a flare-up of patellar tendinitis in her right knee, and she is expected to return to action Thursday as the WNBA resumes.

“There [were] two back-to-backs,” Bueckers began about her decision to sit out of Sunday’s final. “[I] just wanted to be cautious, take that approach. Obviously, the timing sucks, but being smart about it, knowing that there’s a reason and purpose for everything.”

The Dallas Wings will begin their final four-game stretch of the regular season Thursday, hosting the Los Angeles Sparks at 8 p.m. ET. Bueckers was held out of Tuesday’s practice due to rest and was not listed on Dallas’ mandatory WNBA Injury Report Wednesday evening.

As Bueckers noted, Team USA played on consecutive days to secure a fifth straight World Cup title. The young point guard was limited to a then-tournament-low 17 minutes in Saturday’s semifinal against Spain, scoring six points and making just one field goal as the United States pulled away from a pesky La Roja squad late. Bueckers checked into Sunday’s final with 2:38 remaining in the first quarter, grabbing an offensive rebound during her brief cameo. She exited during the quarter break and did not return.

Before her injury flare-up, Bueckers played brilliantly on the world stage in Berlin, shooting 13 of 22 from the field in Team USA’s three group-stage games while adding four steals and four blocks. Bueckers joined fellow UConn alumnae Breanna Stewart and Napheesa Collier as standout performers at the FIBA Women’s World Cup.