In a stunning turn of events, Paige Bueckers, the electrifying 2025 WNBA Rookie of the Year, was rushed to a Los Angeles hospital late Wednesday following a freak injury sustained during filming for her highly anticipated debut film, *Jess & Pearl*.
The 24-year-old Dallas Wings sensation, who dazzled the league with 19.2 points, 5.4 assists, and 3.9 rebounds per game in her breakout season—tying Caitlin Clark’s rookie scoring mark—was on set for the Apple Original Films sports drama when the accident occurred. Sources close to production tell Deadline that Bueckers, starring as a young athlete navigating triumph and heartbreak, was executing a high-energy basketball sequence in a pivotal scene. Midway through a crossover dribble, she collided awkwardly with a prop barrier, twisting her ankle severely and hyperextending her knee.
Eyewitnesses described the chaos: “Paige powered through the take like she does on the court—fearless,” one crew member recounted. “But the mat shifted, and she went down hard. She was in agony but tried to play it off.” Paramedics arrived within minutes, stabilizing her on-site before transporting her to Cedars-Sinai Medical Center. Initial reports indicate no fractures, but swelling and ligament damage have sidelined her indefinitely from both filming and Wings offseason workouts.
Bueckers, the No. 1 overall pick out of UConn—where she led the Huskies to the 2025 NCAA title—has been a beacon for women’s basketball. Named to TIME’s 2025 100 Next list as a “phenom,” she’s already executive-producing *Jess & Pearl* alongside *The White Lotus* alum David Bernad. The film, inspired by real-life trailblazers, marks her seamless pivot from hardwood hero to Hollywood force. “Paige embodies resilience,” director Elena Ramirez said. “This setback? Just another plot twist she’ll conquer.”
The Wings organization issued a statement: “Our hearts are with Paige as she recovers. She’s tougher than any defender she’s faced.” Fans flooded social media with #PrayForPaige, while co-star Zendaya posted, “Get back out there, queen—courtside or on set.”
As production halts for reshoots, Bueckers’ camp remains optimistic. “She’s stable, joking about ‘stealing the scene—and the injury,'” her rep shared. With awards buzz building and a sequel in whispers, this rookie chapter is far from over. Bueckers: unbreakable, unscripted.
