It was a chaotic return home on Monday for the Mavericks — the team ejected several fans who expressed their displeasure about the Luka Doncic trade, lost a one-point thriller in overtime, and saw head coach Jason Kidd skip out on his post-game media session.
That context made Kyrie Irving‘s performance on Wednesday all the more impressive. As Tim MacMahon of ESPN writes, Irving racked up 42 points on 15-of-25 shooting and drew a crucial offensive foul on Jimmy Butler with 17 seconds left in the game, leading Dallas to a much-needed win over Golden State and giving the home fans a feel-good moment.
“That was special,” Klay Thompson said after the victory over his former team. “That was incredible — 42 and the defensive stop of the night. Yeah, that was incredible. Needed it bad, especially when I didn’t have my best shooting night. That’s our point guard, man. That was ridiculous.”
The shorthanded Mavericks – who had to start 6’7″ forward Kessler Edwards at center due to injuries to Dereck Lively, Daniel Gafford, Dwight Powell, and newly acquired star Anthony Davis – were going up against a Warriors club that had won back-to-back road games since Butler’s debut. Irving said the home crowd helped give the home team the spark it needed to pull out the win.
“Anytime you’re in a game like tonight and you’re looking for that energy, you look into the crowd, our fans, and you could drive yourself off that or get amplified, electrified off of that energy that’s in the crowd,” Irving said. “And it makes a big difference for us in in our home stadium. We got to protect it — our arena — and I feel like our fans know that. We’re obviously dealing with something unique, but at the same time we have to put our best foot forward.”
Here’s more on the Mavericks:
- Although the Mavericks have yet to make an official announcement on how Davis’ adductor strain will be treated and how much time he might miss, NBA insider Marc Stein (Twitter links) hears there has been “tangible optimism” in Dallas that the injury won’t require surgery. One source close to the situation tells Stein that the Mavs are still evaluating Davis’ recovery timeline and “will be cautious” about targeting a return date.
- Marko Milic, who joined the Mavericks’ coaching staff in a player development role during the 2022 offseason, has stepped down from his role, sources tell Stein (Twitter link). According to Stein, Milic – who was the first Slovenian to play in the NBA – decided not to remain with the team following the Doncic trade.
- Grant Afseth of Dallas Hoops Journal (Substack link) calls out the Mavericks’ leaders for a lack of transparency and accountability, noting that the team still hasn’t publicly commented on its Caleb Martin trade, which needed to be amended to send a second-round pick to Dallas due to concerns about Martin’s physical. The front office also hasn’t responded to Doncic’s assertion that he “absolutely” didn’t give the team any indication he wouldn’t have signed a super-max extension offer during the 2025 offseason, Afseth adds.
Kyrie was on fire last night. He’s still an all world player and can get it done whenever he wants. A guy with those handles and that quickness plus a three point stroke? Unguardable.
But he’s another guy that when he becomes available, you go for it even though there’s risks involved with his commitment or actions off the court or headstrong personality. You just have to, and the hope is that you can keep him grounded for a couple of years.
This is the Warriors thinking with Jimmy as well. You have to go for it. You pay them what they want, and deserve, and watch them work.
That “watch them work ” comment is kinda a funny considering both of them spend a lot of time sitting around cuz they ain’t happy.
Which is a big part of why they’re playing for an 8 seed and a 10 seed. No team wanted Butler that wasn’t desperate.
Yes, I agree with you.
Both the Warriors and Suns as they sat pre-Jimmy we’re going nowhere fast. .500 teams hoping for the play in and that’s about it.
Fortunately, Jimmy made things ugly in Miami so he came at a bargain. Middling Andrew Wiggins and a first round pick? Wow grand theft.
But yes, the Warriors were definitely desperate to do something. If not, I was all in favor of breaking the entire thing down and starting again this summer.
The hairbrush is right on the money…
Neither team is a real threat in the bloodbath that is the West…
Even if they stay healthy… Which is highly unlikely…
Neither team WAS a real threat. The Warriors are definitely a real threat now.
In the NBA, it’s the contract that means everything in the pecking order.
If they don’t have that extension in pocket, they feel they are treated as less than worthy, while they feel their play is more than worthy.
That contract is the bragging rights, seats on the plane, theater room for film, lockers, etc., etc.
Most of these guys make more money either with their money investments or from endorsements than they do with their NBA salary. That is just simply hierarchy and bragging rights. Half of it is taxed anyway, or paid out in different costs associated with being an NBA player. Handler’s, agents, family, assistants of all kinds, etc..
The 6th man was big last night. Hey Refs this beer is for you in giving them a win.
So the short handed Mavs with an over rated Kyrie and the unwanted Klay were too much for the Warriors…
If the Warriors can’t win these easy games what chance do they have when they matter?
When you get a lot of home cooking calls go your way its a lot easier to win. If you watched the game you know the Mavs got at least a extra 8 points that help in the win.
They’re still acclimating a new guy who plays a huge role going forward.
You’re not plugging in a scrub who sits in the corner and drains threes. You’re bringing in a guy who will be a major part of what they do. This takes time.
As you mention almost every other day, Jimmy hasn’t played a lot lately. You can see it with his hesitation and some turnovers.
Overrated Kyrie?
He just single-handedly won a ball game for the Mavs. How is he overrated?
He’s considered one of the top closers in the game the last 15 years. If there’s one guy in the league, just one guy, and you need a bucket, who are you gonna give it to? My money is on Kyrie Irving every single time.
Overrated? Ridiculous.
Your negativity is impairing your judgment and reasoning skills so much so that your assessments are way off base. Again.
Unwanted Klay?
Where are you getting this information and how do you come to these conclusions?
You do know the Dallas Mavericks gave him a three-year contract and almost $20 million per year.
Unwanted Klay?
3 teams made bids for Klay so unwanted is funny. He also refused to sign with the warriors and wanted to leave not thrown out.
Butler was still amazing last night! I still cant believe he is a Warrior. It is godsend and I am so grateful to Lacob. Also, Moody had one of the best stretch as a Warrior the last gms. He seems more decisive and contributed when hm mattered. I wish he made thaf open 3 shot though im the final minute. Go Warriors!!!!!!!!!
I would like to know why Kerr only played Post 12 minutes but no shot Buddy 29 minutes? Kerr is his own worse enemy in he has favorites.
Mann, these comments… looking at the Mavs. If they can get healthy for about 1-2 months before the playoffs. Big IF. I think they’d dominate the entire west. I’d say OKC but Dallas owns them even without Luka. PJ is key for that series.
Mavs doing well in the postseason will all come down to AD health. If he is healthy he can dominate a playoff series.
I like the Mavericks. Marshall has plugged in for Derek Jones Jr and they brought in a couple of Wiley veterans.
But yes, the issue is health. If they stay out of the trainers room and on the floor, the Mavericks could surprise a lot of people in this year‘s playoffs.
Sidenote, I think health is the thing for practically every team. The strongest will survive. The deep teams will move forward. Heck, I think one year the Warriors won the championship because every team they faced was missing their starting point guard. An ill timed injury stops teams right in their tracks unfortunately sometimes.
AD carried Lebron to a championship. Health is the #1 reason a team can get through the playoffs. the older players get burned out if over played through out the season. Why curry have been playing subpar many games. the Olympics took a lot out of him.