Irving has first practice with Mavs
Kyrie Irving had his first practice with Dallas on Tuesday, and was asked if he envisioned any problems playing alongside Mavericks star Luka Doncic.
Irving’s answer: “No.”
The Mavs clearly see it the same way. Irving’s Dallas chapter has started, with a practice in Los Angeles preceding what’s expected to be his debut game there when the Mavericks visit the Clippers on Wednesday night.
“I’ve played with some of the best of all time, greatest of all time,” Irving said. “I’ve been on some of the greatest teams, the Olympics and the world championships. This is going to be my first time seeing one of those bad Europeans come over and really dominate up close — and have the opportunity to do it at a pace that I don’t think has ever been seen before other than like Larry Bird.”
For his part, Mavericks coach Jason Kidd said he expects Irving and Doncic to figure things out quickly. “This isn’t two 23-year-olds trying to see who’s the alpha,” Kidd said. “We understand, this is Luka’s team. It will be Luka’s team.”
Suns’ Ishbia says he’ll listen
Mat Ishbia said his first major project as owner of the Phoenix Suns will be to listen to employees and figure out what problems they’ve faced.
After that, he’ll start fixing.
The tenure of embattled Robert Sarver as owner of the NBA’s Suns and WNBA’s Phoenix Mercury officially ended Tuesday, when Ishbia — the chairman, president and chief executive of United Wholesale Mortgage, plus a member of Michigan State’s NCAA championship team in 2000 — took over.
“I’m going to spend a lot of time listening and learning, then make the adjustments to make this not only one of the best organizations in the NBA but also one of the best places to work,” Mat Ishbia said.
Heat trade Dedmon, pick to Spurs
MIAMI » The San Antonio Spurs have acquired Dewayne Dedmon and a secondround draft from the Miami Heat, with the teams finalizing that deal Tuesday.
The Spurs will receive Miami’s secondround selection in 2028. Dedmon is averaging 5.7 points in 30 games this season.
Lowry out at least 3 games
MIAMI » Kyle Lowry has been ruled out for the Miami Heat’s next three games with a left knee issue, and he could be sidelined even longer.
Lowry is averaging 12.0 points and 5.3 assists on 39.6% shooting this season, numbers all down from a year ago. He didn’t play Saturday at Milwaukee because of what the Heat called left knee soreness.