Paige Bueckers is out for Friday's game between the Dallas Wings and New York Liberty as she deals with tightness in her back.
Head coach Chris Koclanes said on Thursday that he expected her to play, even though the No. 1 overall pick skipped practice. She was listed as questionable on the injury report.
Dallas' franchise player exited the third quarter of the Wings' 85-76 loss to the Liberty on Tuesday. Post-game, Bueckers told the Associated Press, "I was just dribbling the ball and just felt a tightness come along."
"It's day to day. I'm hoping it won't take me out. Just get some treatment, get some rest. I think it's just a pulled muscle. I felt a strain, felt it tighten, so I am just getting it worked out."
After receiving treatment, Bueckers returned in the fourth quarter and finished the game with 21 points, 8 rebounds and 4 assists.
Although the expectations are high for the former UConn star, the Wings have struggled, entering the Liberty rematch with an 8-22 record, 12th in the WNBA standings.
Nevertheless, Bueckers has been putting up solid numbers, averaging 18.6 points, 4.1 rebounds, and 5.4 assists per game. She has scored at least 20 points in Dallas' last four outings despite losing their last three games. Bueckers leads the struggling Wings in points, assists and steals.
The Wings are facing a Liberty team that has been performing poorly for their standards in recent weeks. After a 13-6 start to their campaign, the defending WNBA champions went on a four-game skid before stringing wins over the Connecticut Sun and the Wings.
The Liberty own a 19-10 record and are second in the WNBA behind the Minnesota Lynx, who have a comfortable 25-5 standing.
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