UConn’s Paige Bueckers to miss 6-8 weeks with knee injury

UConn will be without star sophomore Paige Bueckers for at least six weeks after Bueckers suffered a tibial plateau fracture in her knee in the waning moments of the Huskies’ win over Notre Dame on Sunday.

An MRI and CT scan on Bueckers’ knee revealed the injury after she went down and had to be helped off the court Sunday.

The timeline for Bueckers’ return is 6-8 weeks, which means she could be healthy in time for UConn’s rematch with South Carolina on Jan. 27. The No. 1 Gamecocks defeated No. 3 UConn 73-57 in the championship game of the Battle 4 Atlantis last month, solidifying their status as the nation’s best team.

“Obviously, we’re all extremely disappointed for Paige and that she suffered this injury,” head coach Geno Auriemma said in a statement. “We’ve had players get injured in the past and my philosophy here is, I’m not interested in how fast we can get someone back; I’m interested in what’s best for them long term.

“Every decision made will prioritize what’s best for Paige and her career.”

The Huskies are also currently without standout freshman Azzi Fudd, who is dealing with a lingering foot injury Auriemma suggested is the “beginning of a stress reaction.” The coach stressed taking caution with Fudd and doing what’s best for her “long career.”

UConn is back in action against Georgia Tech on Thursday at 7 p.m. ET.