UConn star Paige Bueckers, the projected No. 1 overall pick in the 2025 WNBA Draft, is dealing with a “lower-body sprain” and will be out for the game against Xavier on Wednesday. She did not practice with the team on Tuesday, but coach Geno Auriemma is feeling positive she won’t be out too long.
“Her ankle is fine. Sore, don’t get me wrong,” Auriemma said. “Her knee got twisted a certain way. Her ankle got twisted a certain way. It was just an awkward thing, but we are hoping we have her back in a week.”
Auriemma said there was no tear, and compared her injury to the one that sidelined Azzi Fudd earlier this season.
Bueckers left the team’s 83-52 win over Villanova on Sunday after a scary collision. Late in the third quarter, she dribbled the ball off her own leg and chased after it near mid-court. As she bent down to pick up the ball, Villanova’s Jasmine Bascoe dove for it and rolled up Buecker’s leg, which bent awkwardly.
Bueckers grimaced as she rolled around in pain and clutched at her knee. She eventually limped off the floor under her own power and went to the locker room. Though she later returned to the bench, she did not return to the game.
Bueckers, who finished with 15 points,…
