UConn’s Paige Bueckers Sidelined with Knee Sprain, Expected Back Soon

UConn women’s basketball star Paige Bueckers suffered a left knee sprain during Sunday’s game against Villanova, coach Geno Auriemma announced Tuesday. The 2021 national player of the year is expected to return to the court within a week, pending her recovery progress.

Bueckers, a projected top pick in April’s WNBA draft, sustained the injury late in the third quarter while diving for a loose ball. A collision with a Villanova player left her with a sore knee and ankle. She did not return to the game but remained on the bench icing both areas. Auriemma confirmed that no tears were detected, and an MRI was unnecessary.

The injury comes as a relief compared to Bueckers’ previous setbacks. She missed the entire 2022-23 season with an ACL tear and much of the 2021-22 season due to a tibial plateau fracture and meniscus tear, all in her left knee. Despite these challenges, Bueckers played in all 38 games last season, leading UConn to its 15th Final Four in 16 years.

“Obviously, you can imagine, I think she’s pissed more than anything about having to miss any time at all,” Auriemma said. “The thing that happens, I think, to a lot of athletes when they’ve been through something in the past, is the fear of ‘Do I have to go through something again?’ That’s the initial reaction right away … [but now] she’s in great spirits.”

Bueckers leads the Huskies in scoring with 19.9 points per game and is averaging 4.3 rebounds, 4.0 assists, and 2.1 steals. She is just 18 points shy of reaching 2,000 career points, a milestone she is on track to achieve faster than any other player in UConn history.

UConn hosts its next game on Wednesday and travels for a matchup on Saturday. Auriemma emphasized that Bueckers’ return will depend on her physical and mental readiness, but he remains optimistic about her quick recovery.