The WNBA’s biggest stars are preparing to gather in Chicago for All-Star Weekend, but injuries to Paige Bueckers and Angel Reese have created uncertainty before Saturday’s showcase.
Both players were injured during games on Sunday, less than a week before the 2026 WNBA All-Star Game at the United Center. Bueckers suffered a frightening fall during the Dallas Wings’ victory over the Los Angeles Sparks, while Reese left the Atlanta Dream’s win against the Chicago Sky with a left leg injury.
Bueckers and Reese were both selected for Team Coop, making their health a significant concern for the All-Star roster.
Paige Bueckers Suffers Scary Fall Against Sparks
Bueckers was injured late in Dallas’ 90-82 victory over Los Angeles.
With 3:33 remaining in the fourth quarter, Sparks forward Nneka Ogwumike lost her balance after being fouled and fell into Bueckers’ legs. The Dallas guard fell backward, and the back of her head appeared to strike the court.
Bueckers remained on the floor briefly while holding her head. She eventually walked away with members of the Wings’ medical staff and did not return to the game. Before leaving, she exchanged a hug with Ogwumike, indicating that the collision was accidental.
The Wings later announced that Bueckers had been cleared of a concussion and was not placed in the league’s concussion protocol. However, she continued to experience soreness and was ruled out of Monday’s game against the New York Liberty for rest.
Bueckers Shines Before Leaving the Game
Before the injury, Bueckers delivered another impressive performance for Dallas.
She finished with a game-high 25 points on 10-for-18 shooting, including two three-pointers. She also recorded five assists and four rebounds in 32 minutes.
The second-year guard has remained one of the WNBA’s leading performers, averaging 20.9 points, 6.2 assists and 4.2 rebounds through 24 starts. Her production has helped the Wings reach a 17-8 record.
Bueckers was also the leading vote-getter in the final All-Star fan balloting, receiving more than 1.04 million votes. She was assigned to Team Coop and is expected to start if she is medically cleared.
Angel Reese Leaves Dream Victory With Leg Injury
Reese was injured during Atlanta’s dramatic 93-91 victory over her former Chicago team.
The Dream forward’s leg appeared to buckle as she made a jump stop near the basket. Reese initially got back to her feet but went down again moments later and was eventually removed from the game.
She returned to the bench but did not play again. Atlanta officially described the problem as a left leg injury.
The Dream do not have another regular-season game before the All-Star break, giving Reese several days to receive treatment and undergo further evaluation.
Reese’s Availability Remains Uncertain
Reese was selected as an All-Star reserve by the WNBA’s head coaches and later drafted to Team Coop.
She has been one of the league’s leading rebounders throughout the season, averaging 11.8 rebounds per game. She has also recorded 14 double-doubles while averaging 14.9 points.
Reese’s rebounding, physical defense and interior presence would be important for Team Coop, which also includes Bueckers, Breanna Stewart, Kelsey Mitchell, Natasha Howard and several other prominent players.
Atlanta had not announced a detailed diagnosis or recovery timetable immediately following the game.
Team Coop Could Need Injury Replacements
Bueckers and Reese are not the only All-Stars dealing with health concerns.
Los Angeles Sparks guard Kelsey Plum has been sidelined for several weeks with a lower-leg injury. She was also selected for Team Coop, creating another possible opening on the roster.
Should an injured player be unable to participate, WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert would select a replacement.
Any roster decision will likely depend on medical evaluations conducted during the days leading up to the game.
WNBA All-Star Game Set for Chicago
The 2026 WNBA All-Star Game is scheduled for Saturday, July 25, at the United Center in Chicago. The game is set to begin at 8:30 p.m. Eastern time and will be broadcast nationally on ABC.
This year’s format features Team Coop against Team Spoon. The rosters were selected without regard to conference affiliation or traditional positional requirements.
Team Coop received Bueckers after winning the coin flip for the leading fan vote-getter. Team Spoon was assigned Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark, who finished second in fan voting.
All-Star Weekend Awaits Injury Updates
The injuries have placed additional attention on the medical reports surrounding Bueckers and Reese.
The news regarding Bueckers offers some encouragement because she was cleared of a concussion. However, her soreness and scheduled rest mean Dallas will continue evaluating her before determining whether she can safely participate.
Reese’s status is less clear because Atlanta has not yet provided a specific diagnosis. The Dream’s extended break may give her time to recover, but her availability will depend on how her leg responds to treatment.
All-Star Weekend is designed to celebrate the league’s top players. Whether Bueckers, Reese and Plum can participate will be one of the biggest stories leading into Saturday night.