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Dallas Wings Coach Explains Unexpected Paige Bueckers Decision

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Robert Marvi | Last updated May 31, 2025 11:04 PM ET

The Dallas Wings got their first win of the season on Tuesday after four losses, but now, they appear to be in some trouble.

After they lost to the Chicago Sky, 97-92, it was announced that standout rookie Paige Bueckers had been placed in concussion protocol. She's expected to miss at least two games as a result.

She had 15 points, eight assists, three steals and three blocks in that game, and she could only watch on Saturday as her team hosted Angel Reese and the Chicago Sky.

Dallas head coach Chris Koclanes talked briefly about what led to Bueckers being put in concussion protocol.

"She didn’t really say anything…yesterday after the game, she said she had a headache…that was the first of it. Once that was said (they placed her in concussion protocol)..." he said.

Chris Koclanes on Paige Bueckers concussion

"She didn’t really say anything…yesterday after the game, she said she had a headache…that was the first of it. Once that was said (they placed her in concussion protocol)..."
— Moreau Sports Media Prod Co. (@MoreauSportsCo) May 31, 2025

Concussions don't happen nearly as much in basketball as they do in football. But as the NFL started to take action in terms of player safety when it comes to head injuries, pro basketball followed suit by instituting a concussion protocol.

Bueckers was the No. 1 pick in April's WNBA draft just weeks after leading UConn to the women's NCAA championship. During her time at UConn, she won a slew of individual awards and averaged 19.8 points and 4.6 assists a game while shooting 53.1% from the field and 42.3% from 3-point range.

She has been expected to become women's basketball's next generational player and possibly even follow in the footsteps of Caitlin Clark, although her game is a little different from Clark's.

Through six games this season, she has put up 14.7 points and 6.7 assists a game while shooting 43.7% from the field and 33.3% from downtown.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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