$1.5 million NIL-valued Paige Bueckers drops 4-word reaction after injury scare in UConn win over Villanova

Paige Bueckers' time with the UConn Huskies has been interrupted multiple times by injuries, and the guard suffered a scare during Sunday's 83-52 win over Villanova.

In the third quarter, with the Huskies ahead by 26 points, Paige Bueckers and Villanova's Jasmine Bascoe reached out for a loose ball when the Huskies guard's leg got caught under Bascoe. She fell down and held her knee in pain. She limped to the locker room but later returned to the bench. However, she did not play again.

After the game, KK Arnold shared a picture of Paige Bueckers on their flight back home via her Instagram story with the caption:

"What's poppin boogers?"

The $1.5 million NIL-valued (per On3) UConn senior re-posted the picture and added:

"Good vibes only camera."

Paige Bueckers Instagram story (Credit: Instagram/@paigebueckers)

Paige Bueckers was first sidelined with a knee injury at UConn during her sophomore year. Although she missed many games, the guard returned right in time, in February, to lead the Huskies on a championship game run.

Four months after the NCAA championship final, Bueckers tore her ACL during an offseason practice session. She missed the entire 2022-23 season and underwent surgeries and rehabilitation.

The senior made her triumphant return last season, leading the Huskies to the Final Four, averaging 21.9 points, 5.2 rebounds, 3.8 assists and 2.2 steals. She is now playing her final season at UConn, averaging 20.3 points, 4.4 rebounds, 3.6 assists and 2.0 steals and is hopeful of winning her first national championship.

---

UConn coach Geno Auriemma provides a hopeful update on Paige Bueckers

While she did not return to play after the injury scare, UConn coach Geno Auriemma is optimistic of Paige Bueckers' condition. During a postgame chat on the SNY broadcast, he said:

"She's pretty good. It was unfortunate. The kid dove for the ball. ... Paige turned her back, and it was a weird situation. But she'll be fine. She looks good. I'm optimistic. Let's put it that way,"

Later, during his interview with the media, Auriemma gave more insight into the injury.

"Like when it was with Azzi (Fudd), it's not the worst thing that we could imagine. So, that's great news, considering how awkward it was," Auriemma said.

Paige Bueckers finished with 15 points, three rebounds and nine assists in 25 minutes. It is yet to be confirmed if she will return to action on Wednesday when the seventh-ranked Huskies (13-2) take on Xavier.