When Paige Bueckers shared how Klay Thompson inspired her during the toughest part of her career
UConn guard Paige Bueckers once said four-time NBA champion Klay Thompson inspired her while recovering from an ACL tear in her left knee. She said this in an ESPN College Basketball documentary titled: "How Kobe Bryant's mentality helped Paige Bueckers' ACL recovery."
Bueckers, who tore her ACL in her left knee while playing pick-up basketball in August 2022, said in the short documentary that the Dallas Mavericks star inspired her to work her way to full recovery from the major injury.
The shooting guard suffered two major injuries — a torn ACL on his left knee in June 2019 and a right Achilles tear in November 2020 — while playing for the Golden State Warriors, causing him to miss two seasons. However, he returned to action in January 2022, helping the Warriors win the 2022 NBA championship.
She was also inspired by her teammates who suffered similar injuries and other professional athletes who recovered to play again.
"A lot of my teammates have gone through ACL injuries have gone through major injuries I watched in the WNBA, the NBA and in the NFL, people coming back from ACL injuries," Bueckers said (Timestamp: 4:44). "Klay Thompson came back from two major injuries and won an NBA championship."
Paige Bueckers was cleared to play on Aug. 9, 2023, after 369 days on the shelf. She played 39 games for UConn in the 2023-24 season and was one of the healthiest players on a team decimated by major injuries during the tournament.
Bueckers, who averaged 21.9 points, 5.2 rebounds, 3.8 assists, 2.2 steals and 1.4 blocks, led the Huskies to a Final Four clash against the Caitlin Clark-led Iowa Hawkeyes. UConn lost 71-69 as she finished with 17 points, four rebounds and three assists in 40 minutes.
Paige Bueckers might return after a weeklong absence due to a sprained ankle
UConn guard Paige Bueckers may return from a left ankle sprain this week. However, the exact game when she will return remains unknown.
A report from CT Insider on Tuesday said the Huskies (15-2, 6-0 Big East) haven't provided an update on Bueckers since last week's media availability with UConn coach Geno Auriemma. The team didn't hold any interview with the media a day before the No. 6-ranked Huskies visit St. John's in Queens, New York, on Wednesday.
Last week, Auriemma gave UConn women's college basketball fans good news, saying Bueckers' injury she sustained against Villanova on Jan. 5 wasn't major. He said that they are hoping to have her back this week.
Since Bueckers was sidelined, the Huskies have won two straight games against Xavier and Georgetown. On both occasions, Azzi Fudd and Sarah Strong stepped up to lead UConn.
It's still uncertain whether Paige Bueckers will play against St. John's. The UConn coaching staff might opt to sit her out, as the Red Storm are 1-4 in the Big East standings. They might not need the guard's production and let Fudd, Strong and the rest of the Huskies pick apart St. John's.
She could also return for UConn's game against Seton Hall (12-4, 4-1) at home on Sunday. The Pirates absorbed their first loss in the conference against Creighton after starting with four straight wins.
Paige Bueckers could make her comeback at home. It is also a battle of conference leaders, and the team needs to maintain its lead in the Big East.