Paige Bueckers Makes History, But Her Minutes Raise Red Flags
Paige Bueckers is already breaking records and turning heads just 11 games into her WNBA rookie season. The Dallas Wings guard became the fastest player in league history to reach 200 points and 50 assists, beating out marks previously held by Caitlin Clark, Cynthia Cooper, and Andrea Stinson.
But while her stats are elite—18.2 PPG, nearly 6 assists, and 46.3% shooting—there’s growing concern over how much she’s being asked to carry.
Wings Coach on Bueckers: “I Don’t Want to Play Her” That Much
Head coach Chris Koclanes acknowledged Bueckers’ workload in a candid moment before their game vs. the Atlanta Dream:
“I don’t want to play her 40 minutes… but we have 9 available players.”
— Chris Koclanes
Bueckers is currently averaging 35.8 minutes per game, one of the highest in the league. That’s a serious concern considering her injury history, which includes an ACL tear and tibial plateau fracture at UConn.
Despite the risk, she’s showing no signs of slowing. Against the Washington Mystics, she shattered multiple rookie milestones:
- Fastest to 200 points and 50 assists (11 games)
- Fastest to 20 career steals since 2012
- Second-fastest guard in WNBA history to 10 career blocks
Injuries Leave Bueckers With No Choice But to Carry the Load
The Wings’ roster is battered. With Maddy Siegrist, Tyasha Harris, and DiJonai Carrington out, and key players on national duty, the team is relying heavily on Bueckers to stay afloat.
Koclanes admits she doesn’t want to sit:
“She’s the ultimate competitor and doesn’t want to be on the bench.”
But as the Wings continue to slide (currently 3-12), there’s a question fans and analysts alike are asking: Can Dallas win without risking Bueckers’ long-term health?
Ready for the Spotlight, But at What Cost?
Even with her concussion scare and a recent illness, Bueckers hasn’t missed a beat. Nicknamed the “Middy Princess”, her pull-up jumper is already drawing league-wide praise, and she’s beating All-Stars like Sabrina Ionescu in fan voting.
Still, as her workload piles up, Coach Koclanes and the Wings must figure out how to protect their star. Because while Paige Bueckers is rewriting WNBA rookie history, history has also shown what happens when you push a generational talent too hard, too soon.
Read More: Paige Bueckers’ Viral Highlight Has the WNBA in Awe
