UConn star Paige Bueckers drops 2-word reaction for former teammate Nika Muhl entering 2025 with a “new knee”

Paige Bueckers and Nika Muhl maintain a strong connection with one another, having been teammates together at UConn last season. Even though the latter has since gone to the professional ranks of the WNBA, the former still keeps tabs on her friend.

On Thursday, Muhl posted on Instagram, showing off her outfit as one of the pictures in her collage displayed her knee that was surgically repaired over the offseason. She referred to her knee in the post's caption.

"Stepping into the new year with a new knee be likeeee," Muhl said in her post caption.

Bueckers reacted to Muhl's post with two words, making a funny pun on her former teammate's name.

"New Kneeka," Bueckers said.

Paige Bueckers reacts to Nika Muhl's social media post. (Instagram)

Paige Bueckers drops 2024 year-end post

The year 2024 was a strong one for Paige Bueckers and the UConn Huskies. The first half saw them make a run to the Final Four with Bueckers leading the way, as they ultimately fell to eventual runners-up Caitlin Clark and the Iowa Hawkeyes.

They continued their winning momentum in the second half, going 11-2 to start. Bueckers averaged over 20 points, four rebounds, and three assists in this stretch while shooting over 50% from the field and 40% from beyond the arc.

Bueckers reflected on the year with an Instagram post, quoting a verse from the Bible to show how thankful she is for everything that happened in 2024.

“Thank you, God, for an amazing year. Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever! Psalm 107:1,” Bueckers said in the post caption.

In the post, Bueckers included several pictures of her both on and off the court. She also added a couple of screenshots of inspirational messages.

On Wednesday, Bueckers and No. 7 UConn started 2025 with a 77-45 blowout victory over the Marquette Golden Eagles. Bueckers took a backseat with 12 points and four rebounds, allowing Sarah Strong to lead the squad in scoring with 15 points on top of seven rebounds and four assists.

Now 12-2 on the season, Paige Bueckers and the Huskies will look forward to their second matchup of 2025 against Villanova at The William B. Finneran Pavilion on Sunday at 1:30 p.m. ET.