Paige Bueckers Fulfils Her Wish Meeting Kyrie Irving after Loss to Caitlin Clark-less Fever

Dallas Wings star rookie Paige Bueckers has long held Dallas Mavericks guard Kyrie Irving as one of her favorite players growing up.

Paige Bueckers Fulfils Her Wish Meeting Kyrie Irving after Loss to Caitlin Clark-less Fever

Paige Bueckers met favorite player Kyrie Irving (Image via FirstSportz)

After the Dallas Wings made Paige Bueckers their top pick, basketball fans in the state of Texas reignited their passion for the game as the next superstar arrived. She was to take over from Luka Doncic to be the next great star in the state.

After Doncic’s trade, fans in the state were angry at the Dallas Mavericks for ruining their chance to continue on the Slovenian’s journey. They were upset that the franchise gave up on a generational talent and was left with Kyrie Irving and Anthony Davis to fend for themselves.

When Bueckers arrived, those fans believed basketball in Dallas was saved. At the same time, it was the perfect union as Davis and Irving were the first to welcome the UConn star to the city. Bueckers, though, was thrilled that she could get a chance to meet her favorite player in Irving.

So far, the Mavericks’ point guard was busy recovering and making his way around the country after their season ended. Even though he has been to WNBA games, he had not made it courtside for a Wings game this season.

It so happened that the Wings would play at American Airlines Center on the same day the NBA’s No. 1 overall pick, Cooper Flagg, would be presented as a Dallas Maverick. Combining both, Kyrie Irving sat courtside for the Wings game after Flagg’s presser.

After the game ended, he walked onto the court and embraced Paige Bueckers. The Wings star fulfilled her wish of meeting her favorite player, and they posed for photos both on the court as well as in the tunnel.

Paige Bueckers reveals Kyrie Irving is like a brother to her

Inside the player tunnel, Paige Bueckers took time to meet with Detroit Pistons star Cade Cunningham and his daughter. She clicked pictures with them and then proceeded to speak at the post-game press conference. There, a reporter asked what it was like to meet Kyrie Irving.

Paige Bueckers with Kyrie Irving
Paige Bueckers with Kyrie Irving (Image via Open Source/X)

It was pretty surreal that somebody who I’ve looked up to and who’s been my favorite player ever since I was really young. So for him to come out and support us, support women’s basketball, have his daughter there. To me, he’s been like a big brother figure, and to finally meet him in person, it was a great moment.

Paige Bueckers said

The UConn alum considers Irving as one of her favorite players. To be in Dallas with him was great enough, but meeting him was one of her best moments. She spent quite a bit of time with Irving and his daughter and gifted him a signed jersey.

Cade Cunningham, Mark Cuban, and Cooper Flagg watched Paige Bueckers explode for 27 points

Kyrie Irving was not the only NBA celebrity inside American Airlines Center for this game. This was the most expensive game of the season as it was supposed to be the 1st WNBA showdown between college rivals, Paige Bueckers and Caitlin Clark.

Cameras picked up Dallas Mavericks No. 1 overall pick Cooper Flagg and minority owner Mark Cuban in the stands. They had hoped to watch Clark and Bueckers go against each other, but it was not going to be that night.

The Indiana Fever guard missed her 2nd straight game due to a groin injury. That left the Wings star to show out for the packed crowd. She did, as the 23-year-old finished with a stat line of 27 points, 6 assists, along with 2 steals and blocks each.

That total performance drew cheers from the mixed crowd who wore both Paige Bueckers as well as Caitlin Clark jerseys. Some even were present with interesting mixes of half-and-half jerseys featuring the WNBA’s two most important young players.

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