The Wings lost a key player for the season...
Paige Bueckers has put together an impressive rookie season, earning an All-Star starting spot while averaging 18.8 points, 4.1 rebounds and 5.4 assists per game. But despite her early success, the Dallas Wings have struggled, sitting at 9-26 and on the verge of missing the playoffs for the second straight year.
However, as the regular season enters the final stretch, Bueckers and the Wings will be without center Li Yueru.
Yueru Ruled Out for Season
In the Wings' loss to the Los Angeles Sparks on Friday, Yueru was forced to leave the game after suffering an apparent knee injury. Despite returning to the game, the center from Shanxi, China, was ruled out in Dallas' loss to the Las Vegas Aces on Sunday.
After further tests, initial reports indicated that Yueru would be out for "at least six weeks" with her injury. But, with only three weeks left remaining in the regular season, the Wings have ruled Yueru out for the remainder of the year with an ACL sprain.
"BREAKING: I can confirm that @DallasWings center Li Yueru will miss the remainder of the season with an ACL sprain in her left knee," Winsidr's Melissa Triebwasser wrote on X. "Yueru suffered the injury during Friday’s game against the LA Sparks but was able to return. A full recovery is expected."
Yueru's Impact on the Wings
With a lack of an interior presence to begin the 2025 season, the Wings acquired Yueru from the Seattle Storm on June 14 via trade, sending a 2026 second-round pick and a 2027 third-round pick in exchange.
The No. 35 pick in the 2019 WNBA draft appeared in 22 games for the Wings this year, 12 of which she earned the starting center spot. In those contests, Yueru averaged 7.4 points, 5.8 rebounds and 1.0 assists per game. Since joining Dallas, she has also led the team in rebounds.
Bueckers and the Wings will look to snap their two-game skid on Wednesday in a rematch against the Sparks, this time in Los Angeles.
Related: Indiana Fever Make Tough Roster Decision Amid Caitlin Clark Absence
Related: Paige Bueckers Breaks Caitlin Clark’s WNBA Record on Sunday
This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Aug 19, 2025, where it first appeared in the WNBA section. Add Athlon Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Category: Basketball
