Injuries have plagued the Connecticut Huskies' top players the past few seasons, and during the third quarter of Sunday's game against Villanova, fans feared the 2024-25 season would be no different.
Azzi Fudd, who played in only two games last season, avoided a significant injury when she suffered a minor knee sprain in December. She missed a couple of weeks and returned to action against USC on Dec. 21. Two weeks passed until the Huskies dealt with another injury scare.
On Sunday, star guard Paige Bueckers got hurt during UConn's game against Villanova. She dove after a loose ball and collided with an opposing player. Bueckers limped to the locker room but returned to the bench before the end of the game.
Fans panicked, imagining the worst-case scenario, primarily because of the left knee injury. Bueckers played only 17 games in 2021-22 because of a tibial plateau fracture and meniscus tear in her left knee. She missed the entirety of the 2022-23 season with an ACL tear in her left knee. It's understandable why fans braced for the worst.
Geno Auriemma calmed those fears on Tuesday when he spoke with reporters.
Geno Auriemma hopes Paige Bueckers will return to play in a week
Auriemma said Bueckers didn't tear anything in her knee and, therefore, didn't need an MRI. He compared Bueckers' left knee sprain to Fudd's injury in December. Auriemma added that the guard's ankle is also sore from the collision, but that's it. Bueckers is in "good spirits" and he hopes she'll return to action next week.
It's official that Bueckers won't play in Wednesday's game against Xavier. Based on what Auriemma said, it doesn't seem likely that she'll play against Georgetown on Saturday. The Huskies' first game next week will be on Wednesday against St. Johns.
Being without Bueckers for a few games is nothing compared to being without her for the rest of what will likely be her final season in Storrs. She's projected to be the No. 1 pick in the 2025 WNBA Draft, although Olivia Miles has gained more traction recently.
Bueckers isn't concerned about where she'll end up in the draft; instead, her focus is on recovering and winning her first national championship at Connecticut. Luckily, that goal is still in sight after Sunday's injury scare.