Dallas Mavericks star shooting guard Kyrie Irving and 2025 WNBA rookie of the year Paige Bueckers were present inside the Dickies Arena in Fort Worth, TX, on Monday night for Cooper Flagg’s preseason debut game against the reigning NBA champions, the Oklahoma City Thunder.
Three first-round picks from the NBA and the WNBA were inside the arena on Monday night. Flagg was selected as the Mavericks’ first-round pick in the 2025 NBA draft, while Bueckers, too, went first overall in this year’s WNBA draft and was picked by the Dallas Wings. 2016 NBA champion Irving also went first overall in the 2011 NBA draft and was selected by the Cleveland Cavaliers.
Kyrie Irving and Paige Bueckers Linked up on the Sidelines of the Mavericks Preseason Game
All the buzz inside the Dickies Arena was to see Flagg make his Mavs preseason debut. While the 18-year-old finished the game with 10 points, six rebounds, and three assists and helped his team to a win, fans also saw a lovely sight on the sidelines.
Bueckers, a lifelong fan of Kyrie, got to meet her idol once again during one of the timeout breaks in the game. The duo could be seen gleefully chatting with each other.
Paige Bueckers 🤝 Kyrie Irving
Two No. 1 picks linking up at No. 1 pick Cooper Flagg’s preseason debut! pic.twitter.com/AQceceHXia
— NBA (@NBA) October 7, 2025
Earlier this season, Irving was present courtside as the Wings took on the Indiana Fever, with Bueckers sharing a brief exchange with the NBA star. She has idolized Irving for his amazing playing style and off-court philanthropic actions.
Meanwhile, the Mavericks star had torn his ACL during a game in March and has been patiently completing his rehab process in a bid to return to action soon. While many reports vary over his return timeline, Kyrie recently addressed the issue during a Twitch stream.
Irving said, “There’s no timetable for when I’m coming back, so please don’t ask me when I’m coming back. Please don’t badger me with all the questions like, ‘Hey, if you’re healthy by November, what do you think about it?’…I’m going to be ready when I’m ready. I’m taking the necessary steps to put my best foot forward, and I’m enjoying it.”
He added, “I appreciate you guys being there to support me during my kind of down times, when I was dealing with my ACL and dealing with not necessarily knowing, okay, whether or not I’m going to be back to where I was at. And of course, there was doubt. Naturally, I have doubt like everyone else.”
The Mavericks will be without Kyrie for some time. On Saturday night, they play their next preseason game against the Charlotte Hornets at American Airlines Center.
