For Dallas Wings fans, the past week has been a nerve-wracking stretch as rookie superstar Paige Bueckers battles through a series of knocks in an already grueling season. With her status for Friday night’s clash against the New York Liberty in doubt, all eyes turned to head coach Chris Koclanes for answers. The coach delivered exactly what fans needed to hear.
What Did Chris Koclanes Say About Paige Bueckers’ Condition?
Bueckers missed practice on Thursday, fueling speculation about her availability for Friday’s game. But coach Koclanes quickly put those concerns to rest.
“Just rest,” Koclanes said when asked about her absence from practice. “Day to day. She should be fine for tomorrow.”
Wings coach Chris Koclanes on Paige Bueckers’ status. pic.twitter.com/mYFrPUy0VX
— Myah Taylor (@t_myah) August 7, 2025
The reassuring news comes at a crucial time for the Wings, who can ill afford to be without their leading scorer and playmaker. Bueckers has been carrying a heavy load in her debut WNBA season, averaging a team-high 18.6 points and 5.4 assists per game. Even amid injuries and the team’s struggles, she’s been a constant bright spot on the court.
The most recent setback came on August 5 in a road loss to the Liberty, when Bueckers felt a sharp tightness in her back during the third quarter. She later described it as a pulled muscle but managed to return for the fourth quarter, showing the toughness that’s defined her season.
“I’m alright,” Bueckers said in a quick postgame video. “I just got it checked out. I think just a pulled muscle. Felt a strain, felt it tighten, so just gotta get it worked out. I was just dribbling the ball up, and I felt sort of a tightness come along. It was pretty random… It’s day-to-day, I’m hoping it won’t take me out.”
This latest injury adds to a growing list of concerns. Just days earlier, on August 1 against the Indiana Fever, Bueckers left the game with a leg injury. Add in her long-standing patellar tendinitis, an issue she’s managed since high school, and the toll of the WNBA grind becomes clear.
Can the Wings Break Their Losing Streak Despite Team Struggles?
While Bueckers’ injury updates have dominated headlines, the bigger story for the Wings remains their season-long slump. Dallas has dropped three straight games and sits at 8-22, struggling to find any rhythm despite their rookie star’s efforts.
Against New York on August 5, the Liberty handed Dallas an 85-76 loss, but Bueckers still managed to post a game-high 21 points. This pattern has become all too familiar: Bueckers putting up big numbers while the team continues to falter in the standings.
Her high usage rate and all-around impact have made her indispensable to the Wings’ offense, which explains why Thursday’s missed practice caused such concern among fans. But with Koclanes confirming she’s “day-to-day” and likely to suit up, Dallas will at least have their best weapon available for Friday’s rematch against the Liberty at College Park Center.
However, the challenge ahead remains steep. The Liberty, with their 19-10 record, stands as one of the league’s top teams and has already beaten Dallas twice in the 2025 season. For the Wings to snap their skid, they’ll need more than just another strong outing from Bueckers. They’ll need a complete team performance that has been elusive throughout this difficult campaign.
