There was a certain buzz around the first-ever matchup between the Chicago Sky and Dallas Wings – not just because of the game itself, but because it marked the first time Angel Reese and Paige Bueckers shared the court. That’s right, even during their college years, these two never got the chance to go head-to-head. So naturally, fans were curious to see what kind of dynamic would unfold. Now, Reese has made headlines for her fiery back-and-forths with Caitlin Clark, and while Bueckers isn’t part of that drama triangle, people were still curious to find out how she’d vibe with Reese. Would Paige and Angel be frenemies, flat-out competitors, or accidental besties?

That question got a tiny bit of an answer during their first pro game when Bueckers pointed at Reese while venting to the ref about something. And in that moment, a smirk flashed across the Wings’ player’s face. Reese caught it, replied with a grin, and the whole thing ended with a surprisingly warm moment between the two. So, the moment the two stars were named to Team Collier, fans began wishing for a link-up of some sort at this All-Star game. And they were, of course, eyeing their social media accounts. After all, that is where the truest connections get confirmed. 

Sure enough, the moment came. Angel Reese and Paige Bueckers energized the All-Star locker room with a TikTok dance video posted to Reese’s account, showing the two stars side-by-side in their jerseys before the game. However, things took a turn as the clip quickly drew criticism, with many labeling their moves as “cringeworthy.”

Fans Left Unimpressed With Paige Bueckers-Angel Reese TikTok

Angel Reese has basically turned her social media into a one-woman empire. It is part hoops, part haute couture, and just the right dash of chaos. She’s not just a WNBA star anymore; she’s a walking trendsetter, making waves in both sports and style like it’s no big deal. On the other hand, Paige Bueckers isn’t exactly new to the viral game either. Who could forget her TikTok moment with Azzi Fudd? So when Reese and Bueckers teamed up for a locker-room dance during All-Star weekend, fans were ready for the internet to break. Instead, it kind of… blinked.

“I don’t know what’s worse, their basketball skills or their dancing skills.  Both are trash!” wrote one fan. Well, both are all-stars this season. One is leading the league in rebounds while carrying her side, and the other is a standout rookie who’s all but locked in Rookie of the Year honors. So, on the basketball front, they are doing as great as they could be. On the dancing front, however, they are not the best. But they are not expected to be. They are just two ball players trying to have some fun. 

“Maybe they should spend more time on basketball?” another fan wrote. Well, the two are already spending more time on basketball than ever. The condensed schedule has been a repeated issue as the number of games has expanded to 44 this year. Angel Reese has played 21 games with 2 or fewer days of rest, and Bueckers has played 19 such games. If anything, we should be talking about decreasing the load on these stars who keep bringing in visibility while being massively underpaid. 

“What in the cringe,” wrote a user. Many such TikToks and dancing videos are generally perceived as cringeworthy. It depends on the perspective, honestly. To some, it humanizes the players. On the players’ side, it brings in a new Gen-Z audience, which ultimately translates into more fans, better sponsors, and more popularity. Social media plays a huge role in their income. Sure, we can perceive it as cringeworthy all we want, but at the end of the day, the pros outweigh the cons. Well, one fan finally brought in good humor. “Neither of them got rhythm but they hoopers, so they gotta be stiff.”

The reality is that both Angel Reese and Paige Bueckers are still finding their footing, not just as athletes, but as digital creators. They’ve already shown an impressive knack for building massive online followings, but mastering the craft of high-impact influencer content, especially in dance and entertainment, is a whole different ballgame. With their pro careers barely underway, it’s not surprising that their social media personas are still evolving. For now, their primary rhythm is on the court, and creating viral off-court moments with polish and confidence will likely come with time and experience. But, again, question yourself. Is that polish even going to be real? Is living even supposed to be about being perfect at everything?