In her first press conference as a Dallas Wings player, WNBA No. 1 overall pick Paige Bueckers expressed warm support for Dallas Mavericks star Kyrie Irving, who is currently recovering from a torn ACL.
Bueckers, who has dealt with her own ACL injuries while at UConn, underlined the importance of sharing a city and recovery with a long-time basketball idol.
Paige Bueckers Offers Support to Irving Amid ACL Recovery
“He’s been my favorite player for forever now,” Bueckers said during the Wings’ introductory press conference.
“Super excited to be in the same city as him. Hope I can learn a lot from him. I know he’s going through an ACL journey himself, so to be able to lean on and support each other through that, I think, is something that can be motivating”.
Irving sustained his ACL injury in March 2025 during a Mavericks game. Bueckers, having experienced a similar setback in August 2022 that sidelined her for the entire 2022–23 season. She understands the physical and emotional toll such injuries can take. Her empathy stems from personal experience, making her support for Irving deeply genuine.
This mutual understanding has the potential to foster a supportive relationship between the two athletes as they navigate their respective recoveries and careers in Dallas.
Bueckers and Irving Unite in Dallas
Bueckers’ own return to competition has been a journey of hard work and perseverance. Following her ACL tear in 2022, she was challenged with every aspect during her rehab to return to her playing level.
Joining the Dallas Wings marks the beginning of a new chapter for Bueckers. Her excitement about playing in the same city as Irving reflects her admiration for him and her enthusiasm for the opportunities ahead.
“Just excited for Dallas itself. Like I said, a great sports city. But, yeah, great to be in the same city,” she remarked during the press conference.
Paige Bueckers’ public statement about Kyrie Irving reveals the kind of special connections that can be established by shared experiences. Her recovery from injury to victory is a clear indicator of her strength and her readiness to help a colleague sportsperson attests to the unity that the sports community possesses.
With both individuals being in Dallas, their supporting each other during their respective endeavors might lift the spirit of those who are also confronted with such situations.