Wings secure sixth straight victory amidst injury scare for Bueckers
Paige Bueckers struck her head during a fourth-quarter incident but is expected to play in the upcoming All-Star Game.
The Dallas Wings claimed their sixth consecutive victory on Sunday, defeating the Los Angeles Sparks 90-82 in a contest that concluded with a significant injury scare for star guard Paige Bueckers. The win extends the Wings' winning streak, though the post-game atmosphere was subdued following a collision in the final minutes that saw Bueckers assisted to the locker room.
Bueckers had delivered a strong performance prior to the incident, recording 25 points, four rebounds, and five assists. With 3 minutes and 33 seconds remaining in the fourth quarter and the Sparks trailing by four points, Bueckers positioned herself to draw a charge on Sparks forward Nneka Ogwumike. The play was disrupted when Wings guard Azzi Fudd tripped and fouled Ogwumike, causing the Sparks player to crash into Bueckers' knee.
Bueckers struck her head hard on the court and remained on the floor in pain for several minutes alongside Ogwumike. Teammates surrounded both players, holding up towels to shield them from cameras. Both athletes were able to stand independently and embraced before Bueckers walked to the locker room while Ogwumike returned to the bench to attend to a previously wrapped right hand before rejoining the game.
Wings coach Jose Fernandez reported that Bueckers was in good spirits post-game, noting she was joking with Fudd about the charge attempt. While the team did not provide an immediate medical update on the nature of the head injury, Fernandez indicated that more information would be available within the next few hours. The incident highlights ongoing discussions regarding physicality and officiating standards in the WNBA, where injuries have risen across the league this season.
The Dallas Wings face a make-up game against the New York Liberty on Monday, originally scheduled for Thursday but postponed due to mechanical issues with the Liberty’s charter plane. The team then travels to Portland on Wednesday before the All-Star break. Both Bueckers and Ogwumike are expected to compete in the upcoming WNBA All-Star Game in Chicago, with Bueckers named a starter and Ogwumike earning her 11th All-Star nod.
