Paige Bueckers, the star guard for UConn, faced a concerning knee injury during the team’s 83-52 victory over Villanova. The injury occurred late in the third quarter after a collision on the court, leaving many fans concerned about the extent of her condition.
Here is more about Paige Bueckers’ injury.
What happened to Paige Bueckers?
UConn star Paige Bueckers suffered a concerning injury during the Huskies’ dominant 83-52 victory over Villanova on Sunday. The incident occurred late in the third quarter when Bueckers, chasing after a loose ball, was accidentally hit by Villanova’s Jasmine Bascoe. As Bascoe dove for the ball, her momentum caused her to roll into Bueckers’ leg, causing it to bend awkwardly. After the impact, Bueckers stayed on the floor for a brief moment, visibly grimacing in pain. She was able to limp off the court and make her way to the locker room, but she did not return to the game.
Despite the alarming situation, UConn coach Geno Auriemma expressed hope about Bueckers’ condition post-game. Auriemma said, “She’s pretty good. I mean, it was unfortunate, the kid dove for the ball and I’m sure people saw. Paige turned her back and it was a weird situation. It’s funny because we had someone at the scorer’s table ready to check in. But she’ll be fine. She looks good. I’m optimistic, let’s put it that way.” (via CBS Sports)
Bueckers, who finished with 15 points, 9 assists, and 3 rebounds, has had a history of knee injuries, including a torn ACL in 2022 that sidelined her for a full year. The injury this time concerns the same knee, so the team is cautiously moving forward. If Bueckers does miss any time, it could prove costly for UConn. Fortunately, the team has a relatively light schedule until they face ranked Tennessee on February 6.
