STORRS, Conn. — UConn guard Paige Bueckers has sustained a sprain to her left knee, but fortunately, it isn’t a severe injury.
She will be absent for the upcoming game against Xavier on Wednesday.

The injury occurred during the third quarter in UConn’s victory over Villanova on Sunday. Coach Geno Auriemma mentioned that Bueckers might miss a few matches.

“It is merely a sprain,” Auriemma stated on Tuesday, reassuring fans. “There are no tears or any major issues. Her knee twisted awkwardly, along with her ankle. It’s just one of those odd incidents. We hope to have her back within a week.”

Bueckers exited the game against Villanova, where UConn secured an 83-52 win, after freshman guard Jasmine Bascoe from Villanova accidentally landed on her left leg while attempting to retrieve a loose ball. Bueckers hobbled off the court with just 1:17 left in the third quarter and did not return to the game.

A standout player for No. 7 UConn (13-2, 4-0 Big East), Bueckers is currently averaging 19.9 points per game and is tied for the team lead with 29 three-pointers ahead of Wednesday’s game at home against Xavier.

Bueckers was honored as the national player of the year during her freshman season. Unfortunately, injuries curtailed her participation to just 17 games over the next two years. However, she has started all of the past 54 games, with Sunday’s match at Villanova marking the milestone of her 100th game in college basketball.

Auriemma reflected on Bueckers’ experience with past injuries, noting that there’s often a fear of repeated setbacks. “That’s the initial response. But once she realizes it’s not something major… she’s doing well. I had a good conversation with her yesterday and today,” he said.

In response to Bueckers’ absence, Auriemma confirmed that Ashlynn Shade, the reigning Big East Freshman of the Year, will step into the starting lineup. Shade had previously started for UConn when guard Azzi Fudd was rehabilitating from her knee surgery earlier this season.

UConn senior guard Kaitlyn Chen expressed confidence in their ability to adjust, stating, “I think Coach Auriemma has emphasized that we should focus on being ourselves. Each player brings something unique to the team, so rather than trying to replace Paige, we just need to elevate our own strengths a bit more.”