UConn's Paige Bueckers likely back next week

Field Level Media|published: Tue 7th January, 17:07 2025

NCAA Womens Basketball: Connecticut at Marquette

Jan 1, 2025; Milwaukee, WI, USA; Connecticut guard Paige Bueckers (5) makes a move on Marquette guard Halle Vice (22) during the first half of their game Wednesday, January 1, 2025 at the Al McGuire Center in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Mandatory Credit: Mark Hoffman/USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Connecticut guard Paige Bueckers is expected to be back in the lineup for the No. 7 Huskies next week, head coach Geno Auriemma said Tuesday.

Auriemma ruled out Bueckers for Wednesday's game against Xavier but said she has a better-than-zero chance to play Saturday at Georgetown.

"We're hoping we'll have her back in a week," Auriemma said of his team's leading scorer at 19.9 points per game this season.

Bueckers sustained what Auriemma labeled a "lower-body sprain" in the third quarter of her 100th career college game Sunday against Villanova.

She did not practice with the team on Tuesday.

"Her ankle is fine. Sore, don't get me wrong," Auriemma said. "Her knee got twisted a certain way. Her ankle got twisted a certain way. It was just an awkward thing."

Due to the All-American's injury history, there was deep concern when Bueckers limped off the court in obvious pain. But she came back to the bench with ice on her knee and Auriemma compared her situation to the injury Azzi Fudd dealt with last month.

--Field Level Media