Paige Bueckers shares ‘surreal' moment with Kyrie Irving during her historic Wings game
Paige Bueckers achieved what many athletes have likely dreamed of: putting up historic numbers in front of your favorite player of all-time.
Not only did the Wing star get that despite the 94-86 loss to the Fever, she also shared a mid-game moment with idol and fellow Dallas celebrity Kyrie Irving on Friday.
Bueckers seemingly didn't have time to catch up with the nine-time All-Star prior to the game, but she dapped up Irving — who attended with his daughter — during the game.
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It was her first time meeting Irving.
The interaction sent American Airlines Center — home of the Mavericks — and the basketball world into a frenzy.
3 Paige Bueckers finds time to shake Kyrie Irving's hand mid-game against the Fever on June 27.
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'It was pretty surreal that somebody I've looked up to and has been my favorite player since I was really really young,' Bueckers told reporters after the game. 'So for him to come out an support us and support women's basketball and have his daughter there and 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.'
Bueckers walked away from the game with 27 points, six assists, two steals, and two blocks across 36 minutes.
She shot 9-of-18 from the field, including 2-of-3 from beyond the arc, and was perfect (7-of-7) from the free throw line.
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The performance, per Polymarket Hoops, made her the first player in WNBA history to record a game with at least 25 points, five assists, two steals, two blocks, and zero turnovers.
Throughout the night, Irving was loving Bueckers' performance, especially in the fourth quarter as the Wings closed in on the Fever's lead.
3 Paige Bueckers #5 of the Dallas Wings speaks with Dallas Mavericks player Kyrie Irving following a game against the Indiana Fever at American Airlines Center on June 27, 2025 in Dallas, Texas.
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After the game, the two shared an embrace on the court and also were seen walking underneath the arena together.
The former UConn star also took pictures with Irving's daughter as well as Cade Cunningham's daughter.
3 Dallas Mavericks point guard Kyrie Irving talks with Dallas Wings guard Paige Bueckers (5) after the game against the Indiana Fever at the American Airlines Center.
IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
Irving also received a jersey from Bueckers, who admitted she's trying to be just as 'unguardable' as the 2016 NBA champion.
'I want to be as unguardable as possible,' she said. 'And I feel like Kyrie is one of the most unguardable people to ever play the game. That starts with scoring at all three levels. So, adapting [to] the mid-range game was super essential for me and my game, and also being able to get to the rim and shooting from behind the 3-point line. So I guess just looking to be a three-level scorer.'
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