Awak Kuier of Umana Reyer Venice during the Women s Euro Cup Semi-Final between London Lions Women v Umana Reyer Venice at the Copper Box Arena, London, United Kingdom on 12 March 2024. Copyright: xPhilxHutchinsonx 40060084
Awak Kuier of Umana Reyer Venice during the Women s Euro Cup Semi-Final between London Lions Women v Umana Reyer Venice at the Copper Box Arena, London, United Kingdom on 12 March 2024. Copyright: xPhilxHutchinsonx 40060084
Ahead of their decider against the Valkyries, the Wings had four players listed on their injury report. One of them was forward Awak Kuier. However, her pregame warm-up raised the eyebrows of WNBA fans.
Kuier was listed as probable with a right wrist injury for Friday's game. Late in Game 1, the forward reportedly suffered the injury, and there were doubts regarding her availability for Game 3.
In the warmups, Kuier was spotted dunking with that same right hand, grasping the rim for the slightest of moments with the “injured” right wrist.
January 14, 2026, Girona, Spain: Ainhoa Lopez of Spar Girona and Awak Kuier of Galatasaray Cagdas Faktoring in action during match of the EuroLeague Women Basketball regular season second round on group E, between Spar Girona ESP and Galatasaray Cagdas Faktoring TUR at Fontajau Pavilion Girona Spain - ZUMAs197 20260114_aaa_s197_617 Copyright: xDavidxPastorxAndresx
January 14, 2026, Girona, Spain: Ainhoa Lopez of Spar Girona and Awak Kuier of Galatasaray Cagdas Faktoring in action during match of the EuroLeague Women Basketball regular season second round on group E, between Spar Girona ESP and Galatasaray Cagdas Faktoring TUR at Fontajau Pavilion Girona Spain - ZUMAs197 20260114_aaa_s197_617 Copyright: xDavidxPastorxAndresx
Underdog WNBA’s X post pointed out exactly that, and fans were taken aback by the forward’s actions.
They dropped in their views on Kuier’s injury.
Fans react to Kuier’s warm-up activity
Awak Kuier’s warm-up made fans question her listing on the injury list. It was improbable to the fans that the Dallas center would be taking such a risk with an injury ahead of a crucial game.
“And she’s out here throwing down with that same hand in warmups,” a fan wrote on the post.
Some fans misunderstood the point of the clip. They thought Kuier got injured from the dunk.
“Thought she got hurt from that dunk for a sec,” another fan wrote.
This misreading highlighted how the clip's message was ambiguous to some viewers.
Another fan did not get the point of the video altogether. The Dallas center could’ve just attempted the dunk with the injury.
“Ok?” the fan commented.
Like many, a fan thought Kuier would get injured by the end of the X clip. However, that wasn’t the case.
"Thoughts she was gonna hurt," the fan wrote.
Another fan questioned injury reports of the teams in general. Time and again, regular starters have been mentioned in the injury lists.
In fact, Kuier played 33 of the 40 minutes in Game 3.
“This just shows most these women dont be that hurt fr,” the fan commented.
It was a tight decider with the Wings losing out by four points. Kuier’s injury did not come in the way as she delivered a strong defensive performance.
However, the credibility of the injury list came into question.
Written by
Avishek Sarkar