Paige Bueckers limps off the court leaving UConn fans holding their breath for March Madness

Bueckers is projected to be the first overall pick in the upcoming WNBA draft

UConn’s Paige Bueckers (5) reacts after missing a shot during a NCAA college basketball gameAP

The UConn Huskies (25-3) are on track for a deep run in March Madness, currently ranked fifth in the AP Women’s College Basketball Poll and favored by most sportsbooks to win the national championship. A big reason for their dominance is the presence of veteran star Paige Bueckers, the projected first overall pick in the upcoming WNBA Draft. However, one lingering concern remains – her history of injury. Bueckers has already missed games this season due to a knee issue, raising questions about her durability as the tournament approaches.

A Scare for UConn Fans as Bueckers Exits Game

During UConn’s dominant 91-49 win over Seton Hall, a moment of concern sent shockwaves through the Huskies’ fan base. Just before halftime, Bueckers took a shot at the buzzer, then immediately grabbed her knee and limped off the court without waiting for assistance. Given her past struggles with knee injuries, the sight of her leaving the game in obvious discomfort was enough to unsettle both head coach Geno Auriemma and the UConn faithful. Some people believe she did it on purpose to avoid interviews because of a gesture she made at the end of the game against South Carolina.

Paige Bueckers hops to the locker room at halftime after grabbing her knee in the final play of the first half pic.twitter.com/tetJl2PNdG

— UConn on SNY (@SNYUConn) February 20, 2025

Despite the alarming scene before halftime, Bueckers returned in the third quarter to ease the fears – for now. UConn was already in control, leading 40-26 at the break, but Bueckers re-entered the game and finished with a stellar performance. She finished with a game-high 23 points, nine rebounds and five assists, proving that even at less than 100 percent, she remains a dominant force. With three games left in the regular season, all eyes will be on her knee to see if it can withstand the intensity of March Madness.

A Career Defined by Overcoming Injuries

Injuries have been a constant challenge for Bueckers. As a freshman, she led UConn to the Final Four and set the school record for assists, but her sophomore season was derailed by a left knee injury. She managed to return and help the Huskies reach the national championship game, where they lost to South Carolina. The following year, she suffered a torn ACL that forced her to miss the entire season. Last year, she bounced back with a stellar campaign, earning unanimous first-team All-American honors and leading UConn to the Final Four, where they lost a close battle to Caitlin Clark’s Iowa squad. Barring any setbacks, Bueckers is the clear favorite to go No. 1 in the WNBA Draft. While comparisons to Clark are inevitable, Bueckers has one last chance to do what Clark never did – win a national championship.