As the 2025 WNBA season progresses, a promising class of young stars is facing the dual challenges of high expectations and early adversity. For top rookies like Paige Bueckers and second-year phenom Caitlin Clark, injuries have emerged as defining obstacles — but they’ve also underscored the vital role of veteran leadership in navigating the rigors of professional basketball.
Bueckers Sidelined with Concussion
Dallas Wings rookie guard Paige Bueckers, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2025 WNBA Draft, has been placed in concussion protocol following a head injury sustained during a May 29 loss to the Chicago Sky. Prior to her injury, Bueckers was averaging 14.7 points, 6.7 assists, and 4.7 rebounds per game — a strong start to her professional career. She has missed the Wings’ last two games and did not travel with the team for their 83–77 loss to the Seattle Storm on June 4.
“It’s tough not having a point guard,” Wings All-Star Arike Ogunbowale said. “But at the end of the day, we’ve got to figure it out. We can’t sit and wait around.”
Photo Cred: SI
Ogunbowale and teammate DiJonai Carrington have shared ball-handling duties in Bueckers’ absence, anchoring a depleted Dallas backcourt while the team adjusts to a Western Conference stacked with depth.
Clark’s Quad Injury Halts Hot Start
In Indiana, Caitlin Clark’s sophomore campaign was abruptly paused when she suffered a left quadriceps strain during a May 26 game against the Connecticut Sun. The Fever guard had been posting standout numbers — 19.0 points, 6.0 rebounds, and a league-leading 9.3 assists per game — before the injury. Clark is set to be re-evaluated this weekend, but her return remains uncertain.
With Clark out, head coach Stephanie White turned to veterans Sydney Colson and Sophie Cunningham to manage point guard duties. However, both players left the May 30 rematch against Connecticut with injuries of their own. Colson exited early with a leg issue, while Cunningham re-aggravated a right ankle injury late in the contest. According to Sports Illustrated’s Rosalina Lee, the series of setbacks has quickly turned into a major test for Indiana’s depth and resilience.
Reese and Sky Find Their Rhythm
Not all young stars are stumbling. Chicago Sky forward Angel Reese, in her second WNBA season, has shown early dominance — especially on the glass. In the Sky’s 86–82 win over Dallas on May 31, Reese contributed 14 points, nine rebounds, and two assists, further cementing her status as one of the league’s premier rebounders. Despite a dip in shooting efficiency, she remains a major force on the defensive end.
Photo Cred: People
“She remains one of the top rebounders in the league,” ESPN’s Neil Paine wrote in Sports Illustrated’s Women’s Fastbreak segment.
Under the direction of head coach Teresa Weatherspoon — a WNBA legend — and the leadership of veterans Courtney Vandersloot and Ariel Atkins, the Sky are blending youthful energy with championship-level experience. Reese and rookie Hailey Van Lith are benefitting from the team’s mix of grit and guidance.
Balancing Breakouts with Burnout
The influx of marquee names from college basketball has energized the WNBA and driven a surge in viewership and fan engagement. But the short turnaround between NCAA postseason play and the WNBA’s condensed training camps has sparked broader conversations around athlete recovery and long-term durability. With injuries piling up league-wide, teams have resorted to hardship signings and scouring the free agent pool to stabilize their rosters. According to Claire Watkins of Just Women’s Sports, front offices are beginning to weigh the cost of immediate production against sustained health.
Veteran Mentorship Paves the Way
Despite the challenges, the 2025 rookie class continues to shine in flashes — and perhaps more importantly, they’re learning how to weather adversity from the league’s seasoned veterans. As stars like Bueckers, Clark, Reese, and Van Lith grow into their roles, the mentorship they receive may shape not just their own careers, but the next era of WNBA basketball.
