On Friday night, the Dallas Mavericks’ Kyrie Irving made NBA history against the Phoenix Suns at the American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas. Irving, 32, is a veteran Shooting Guard for the Mavericks since 2023. The Duke alum played his first full season in Dallas for the 2023-24 NBA campaign and then achieved a renaissance season and fourth NBA Finals appearance.
The Mavericks dropped a 114-113 decision to the Suns. The Mavericks’ loss to the Suns was controversial and disappointing, to say the least. Dallas fell to 5-4 in a failed bid for a two-game winning streak, while Phoenix improved to 8-1 for a seventh straight win. However, Kyrie Irving was the Mavericks’ bright spot through the storm, as the Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, native moved ahead of Basketball Hall of Famer Steve Nash (17,387) for 94th on the all-time scoring list.
Kyrie Irving Makes NBA History
Kyrie Irving made NBA history on Friday by moving ahead of former Point Guard Steve Nash for 94th on the league’s all-time scoring list. Irving entered Friday’s game averaging 23.0 points, 4.5 rebounds, 4.6 assists, and 1.5 steals per game while shooting 49.6% from the field and 54.5% from the three-point range through eight games. Irving’s in his third season with the Dallas Mavericks.
In the first nine minutes of Friday’s game, Kyrie Irving had eight points, three assists, and two steals, while shooting 1-for-2 from the field. Irving’s corner three was one of the many highlights of the game’s first half. The former No. 1 Overall pick’s dominance continued throughout the game and finished with 29 points, seven rebounds, and six assists behind Point Guard Luka Doncic, who led the Mavericks in scoring with 30 points, seven rebounds, and seven assists.
Irving’s recent performances have resulted in additional players — and fans — respecting him and his on-court successes. Mavericks Center Daniel Gafford was recently spotted wearing Irving’s new ANTA KAI 1s to support his teammate. Gafford’s kind yet subtle gesture to Irving was a pleasant sight compared to when Phoenix Suns Guard Josh Okogie threw down a poster dunk over Gafford during the game.
Next Up For Irving
Kyrie Irving passed Steve Nash on Friday. So, what’s next for the 2016 NBA champion? Irving is up in age for a professional basketball player, but he could surpass former Shooting Guard Earl Monroe next. Monroe played for the Baltimore Bullets (now Washington Wizards) from 1967 to 1971 and the New York Knicks from 1971 to 1980 before retiring from the NBA. Monroe’s on-court business and flashy style of play made him a fan favorite, as he was most recently named one of the 75 Greatest Players in NBA History in 2021.
Kyrie Irving may or may not surpass Monroe, but his recent play has intrigued players — and fans — in recent weeks. Irving and Luka Doncic were most recently affected by the Mavericks’ bench woes, which weren’t so helpful to the team’s new-look “Big Three.” Irving and Doncic can’t carry the Mavericks on their backs. In addition, the team’s slow starts aren’t helping their cause, especially in their losses this season.
Mavericks Head Coach Jason Kidd has tried everything to give his team’s bench a spark. Kidd even played Small Forward Kessler Edwards, who’s on a two-way contract but Edwards’ playing time was short-lived after he missed a shot and a turnover. Coach Kidd’s arguably not to blame, as his team’s players should step up soon to avoid putting Irving and Doncic in an unfair position, but Kidd likely would get the blame anyway.
More Dallas Mavericks Step Up
Aside from Kyrie Irving, more Dallas Mavericks have been stepping up amid the Mavericks’ bench and injury woes. Maybe not in the best possible ways, but they’re trying to succeed. Shooting Guard Naji Marshall made the most of his time in the team’s starting lineup on Friday. Marshall posted 11 points and collected five rebounds, a positive sign in the team’s heartbreaking loss to the Phoenix Suns, after guarding just about every player.
Center Dwight Powell currently leads the NBA in hits to the face per minute played. Powell’s head has been elbowed, slapped, head-butted, and everything in between. Powell recorded just four points, six rebounds, and one assist in 25 minutes of playing time on Friday, but the Stanford alum’s work on and off the court shows, as he’s unafraid of getting hit — and being a backup Center to Daniel Gafford — which outweigh the total numbers on the box scores.
The Mavericks will face the Denver Nuggets at Ball Arena in Denver, Colorado, on Sunday at 7:00 p.m. Central. The Mavericks look to avoid a two-game losing skid on the road, while the Nuggets enter the home game with a four-game winning streak in hand. The Nuggets defeated the Miami Heat 135-122 in Denver on Friday. Mavericks star Luka Doncic is questionable to play with a left groin strain, so if worse comes to worst, Dallas can win, as long as Kyrie Irving brings his A-game and the team’s defense stifles the Nuggets.
