Customize Consent Preferences

We use cookies to help you navigate efficiently and perform certain functions. You will find detailed information about all cookies under each consent category below.

The cookies that are categorized as "Necessary" are stored on your browser as they are essential for enabling the basic functionalities of the site. ... 

Always Active

Necessary cookies are required to enable the basic features of this site, such as providing secure log-in or adjusting your consent preferences. These cookies do not store any personally identifiable data.

No cookies to display.

Functional cookies help perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collecting feedback, and other third-party features.

No cookies to display.

Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. These cookies help provide information on metrics such as the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc.

No cookies to display.

Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors.

No cookies to display.

Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with customized advertisements based on the pages you visited previously and to analyze the effectiveness of the ad campaigns.

No cookies to display.

Paige Bueckers Comes Face-to-Face with Basketball Icon Kyrie in Dallas

Paige Bueckers Comes Face-to-Face with Basketball Icon Kyrie in Dallas

Paige Bueckers finally got the moment she had been waiting for, and it didn’t disappoint.

The 22-year-old Dallas Wings rookie met her favorite player, Kyrie Irving, for the first time on Friday night, as the Mavericks star showed up courtside to support the Wings during their matchup with the Indiana Fever.

Irving, currently recovering from a torn ACL suffered back in March, made time before tipoff to speak with Bueckers and even introduced her to his daughter.

Cameras caught the interaction, including the pair sharing a smile and hug just before warmups.

“It was pretty surreal,” Bueckers said during her postgame media session, via Mavericks reporter Landon Thomas. “That’s somebody who I’ve looked up to, and he’s been my favorite player since I was really, really young. So, for him to come out and support us, support women’s basketball, have his daughter there, get to meet him. He’s been like a big brother figure for me, and to finally meet him in person, it was a great moment.”

Paige Bueckers said it was surreal seeing Kyrie Irving courtside supporting her and women’s basketball.

Bueckers said Kyrie has been her favorite player since she was young and he’s like a big brother to her. pic.twitter.com/x2cCyDeSCd

— Landon Thomas (@sixfivelando) June 28, 2025

The meet-up capped off a big night for Dallas basketball. Bueckers wasn’t the only rising star to interact with Irving; Cooper Flagg, the Mavericks’ No. 1 overall pick in this year’s NBA Draft, was also in the building and caught up with his new teammate for the first time since being selected.

Although the Wings fell short against the Fever, losing 94-86, the night held deeper meaning for Bueckers, who’s been open about idolizing Irving for years. The two now play in the same city, with Bueckers leading a new era in the WNBA.