That’s 5 losses in a row for Dallas Wings and an injury return for Paige Bueckers, but those spirits are up in the sky. “Adrenaline is a hell of a drug,” she said, and we could see it playing out. Just a few days back, the rookie was sitting out the game against Liberty, considering longevity, and thinking up her future, thanks to a back muscle she pulled. But against the Mystics, in her return to the court, it was smiles and a shooting masterclass. One particular instance captured it best, and fans are here for it.

Paige Bueckers’ back literally gave out in early August after carrying the Dallas Wings all season long. The point guard was dealing with a back issue for a couple of games after feeling “a tightness come along.” However, when she suited up again, the UConn alumna went for a 17-point performance, finishing 5-of-9 from the floor with three rebounds, three assists, and two steals. 

As it has been more times than we can count, that performance couldn’t prove to be enough. The Wings slipped to their 24th overall loss and a 5th straight. Paige, though, assured she was “feeling alright. Good enough to play.” But, yet, it wasn’t all gloom in the College Park Center. 

With less than 3 minutes left in the second quarter, Dallas was in the lead, and Bueckers was left open in the corner. That’s when Arike Ogunbowale found her for a good pass. Jacy Sheldon tried running back to help on the defense and leaped in an attempt to stop her. But this was Paige. She was already in position, and the most the defense could do was foul her. So, it was a four-point play as Bueckers went down! And let’s just say she couldn’t have been on a better side of the court to celebrate that moment. 

As she fell, right in front of her was TikToker and basketball superfan, Janae Sims, or Auntie Nae. The duo dapped it up, hyping the rookie, while the photographers and the broadcasters feasted on the moment. 

“Wait this is so cute lol me and my sister 🥹😂” Nae wrote after the moment blew up on social media. The two had lit up the 2024 draft’s red carpet, proving their TikTok friendship goes way back. When Sims dropped their viral dance clip, captioned “This what yall wanted?” Paige and Nae delivered, grooving to the hottest track and sending social media into a frenzy. This time, she had an even more clever caption, “PB&J 😝” while posting the clip of the now-iconic moment. 

The fans loved the interaction, leading to an outpouring of love on social media.

Fans Love The “Peanut Butter And Jelly” Combo Of Auntie Nae And Paige Bueckers

Bueckers was quick to comment, “👅😝” while the Dallas social media wrote, “very toughhhhhhh.” This completely unplanned and in-the-moment collaboration has the crowd bawling.

One fan called it the “Hardest shot of the season!” The photographer deserves a raise after perfectly capturing Sims clapping Bueckers with both in smiles. Bueckers was on the ground after making one of the most difficult shots of the game. It was even more significant as Sims had called for the three as soon as Bueckers was handed the ball. 

Bueckers is having one of the best rookie seasons any player has had, and this goes right among memorable moments for the Dallas Wings star. Another fan echoed, saying, “Certifiably the best thing I’ve ever seen on the World Wide Web.” It was an in-game clash of two worlds with “Auntie Nae” and their favourite athlete after all. 

Having not had the opportunity to continue with the game herself, thanks to her dual heart condition, the TikToker has been driven to introduce more young girls to the sport. Watching that world collide with one of the biggest names in the industry? It was all hearts. “this made my heart happy,” another echoed.

It was one of the few moments that Dallas had gained a lead in the game. After a little back and forth and catching up, Paige’s 3-pointer had pushed them 27-31. It would soon lead them to 30-41 by the end of the first half, before the Mystics came in charged and took the win 91-78. So we understand if the fans wished to pause with that interaction. “Favorite moment of the game!!!” read a comment, while another pointed out the necessity too.

“lol.. I love how everyone’s tryina keep her spirits up in spite the team’s struggles,” a fan noted. The Wings are almost knocked out of this season with an 8-24 record. This was expected to be a campaign for Dallas to float comfortably in the mid-rankings, but not once have they crossed the last 4 threshold. It very well looks like a second consecutive season without a playoff run. So while it could look all gloom, the team isn’t forgetting to enjoy what they can. 

Bueckers continues to give her fans something to cheer about. Be it through viral moments like this or through her performances. While things might not turn out well this season, the Dallas fans are in for the ride.