This offseason, Dallas Mavericks star Kyrie Irving is on a long road to recovery after suffering an ACL tear back in March. As he slowly works his way back to full strength, he took some time to link up a fellow top draft pick.
On Friday night, the Dallas Wings and Indiana Fever squared off in American Airlines Arena. This was a highly anticipated matchup, as it’d mark the first time Caitlin Clark and Paige Bueckers faced off in the WNBA. However, this anticipated battle has been delayed as Clark was scratched from the game due to injury.
Despite the Fever guard not being in action, a handful of notable names were still in attendance for the WNBA action. Among those in attendance was Irving, who took the time to chop it up with one of the rising stars in women’s basketball. When the action concluded, the Mavs guard was seen walking off the floor with Bueckers.
Paige Bueckers walked off the court with Kyrie Irving, the player she picked when asked who she’d like to attend a Dallas Wings game this season. pic.twitter.com/Fll3lBCHlp
— Grant Afseth (@GrantAfseth) June 28, 2025
Even without the services of their top player, the Fever still managed to walk out with a 94-86 victory Friday. That said, Bueckers did everything she could to try and get her team in the win column. In 36 minutes of action, the Wings’ standout prospect erupted for 27 points and six assists on 50% shooting from the field.
Coming off an impressive career at UConn, Bueckers had high expectations upon entering the WNBA. While Dallas currently sits in 12th place with a 4-13 record, she has delivered as a No. 1 pick. Through her first 12 games, Bueckers is averaging 17.7 PPG, 4.6 RPG, and 5.8 APG.
As for Irving, he is fresh off working things out with the Mavericks to keep him in Dallas for the foreseeable future. After declining his player option, the All-Star guard inked a new three-year deal worth $119 million.
