Paige Bueckers explains why Dallas Wings celebrating Pride Month is crucial
The Dallas Wings celebrated more than their 85-70 victory against the Phoenix Mercury on Thursday at the College Park Center. It was also Pride Night.
After the win, Paige Bueckers, who scored a season-high 31 points to go with six rebounds and five assists, talked about the importance of the league and the Wings celebrating Pride amid attacks on DEI from those in government.
“I think it’s really important. I feel like this world would be a lot better place if love and inclusivity was just put first, to live in love, to love somebody, regardless of who they like, who they love, and just love them for who they are. I think that’s what life is all about. I live like I want to live a Christ-like life, and to live in love, to live in accepting others, live a judgment-free life. That’s really what you want to do. And so I know it was a really fun night to celebrate Pride. I know the W is huge on inclusivity and activism and being just supportive and loving of everybody, so I think that’s no different than tonight,” said Bueckers.
The team celebrated the organizers of Dallas Pride at halfcourt and shared a video on the Jumbotron of team dancers, Mariah Martin and Damian Padilla among others, talking about what Pride meant to them.
“Pride to me means being your authentic self. It means having the utmost beautifulness that you have with you, and you’re able to share it with the world. It’s being unapologetically you,” said Martin.
Padilla said, “This is my third year attending the Pride parade, and my favorite part is seeing all the fans and also dancing in it, but just overall just making that connection outside the arena, because we see them at the games, but now we get to see them here on a more personal level.”
Former Dallas County City Council member Omar Narvaez talked about the Wings’ participation in Pride events and what it means to the community.
“The Dallas Wings have been to every single one of the Dallas Pride flag raisings, every single year. It really shows how committed they are to the LGBTQ community, but also our great city, Dallas,” said Narvaez.
WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert talked at the beginning of June about why it’s important that the league is focused on celebrating Pride Month.
“The WNBA is deeply committed to the values of diversity, equity and inclusion,” said Engelbert. “WNBA Pride highlights our year-round devotion to supporting members and allies of the LGBTQ+ community, celebrating the diverse WNBA family and uniting people through the game of basketball.”
This story was originally published June 11, 2026 at 11:00 PM.
