League: WNBA Sport: Basketball Country: United States Category: Scores & Results

Paige Bueckers discusses knee issues during World Cup final appearance

Yahoo Sports • 1 min read • Latest: Sep 17, 2026, 12:28 PM

Last updated Sep 17, 2026

Paige Bueckers discusses knee issues during World Cup final appearance

Summary

Paige Bueckers explained her limited playing time during Team USA's gold-medal game victory over France at the World Cup on September 17, 2026. Bueckers experienced flare-ups of patellar tendinitis, which constrained her minutes to just three against France after more substantial game time earlier in the tournament. Despite her frustration with the reduced play, she focused on the long-term importance of managing her condition. Team USA ultimately secured its fifth consecutive World Cup title. Bueckers plans to return to the Dallas Wings for the WNBA season as her precautionary approach was not a result of a serious long-term injury.

Source Links

Yahoo Sports

Status Watch

•Bueckers played just three minutes against France in the World Cup final.
•She managed patellar tendinitis throughout the tournament.
•Team USA won its fifth straight World Cup title.
•Bueckers will return to the Dallas Wings after the World Cup.

Latest Updates

12:28 PMYahoo Sports — Paige Bueckers Explains Why World Cup Knee Flare Up Forced Her Into Protection Mode

What they're saying

"
Paige Bueckers wanted to keep pushing through the end of Team USA’s World Cup run. Instead, the schedule forced a decision that was frustrating in the moment but made more sense once the stakes and workload were considered. Bueckers played only 3 minutes in the gold-medal game against France after playing 20 minutes against Hungary [...]
— Yahoo Sports

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