Kyrie Irving is still perfect in closeout games, and moving on with Luka Doncic and the Mavs
DALLAS – Kyrie Irving wowed the crowd with a crossover move that helped create just enough space for him to let fly with a leaning 3-pointer.
Luka Doncic’s co-star with the Dallas Mavericks was bumped and fell with the shot in the air, and his teammates were right there to mob him when the shot went in as the whistle blew.
The four-point play was a punctuating moment in a 114-101 victory over the Los Angeles Clippers on Friday night that sent the Mavericks into the second round of the playoffs with a 4-2 series victory.
Dallas beat LA for the first time in three first-round tries over the past five seasons – and Irving improved to 13-0 in closeout games for his career.
“When I think about 13-0 in closeout games in general, I just know you’ve just got to get there to that point to be able to be ready to have the other team submit,” said Irving, who scored 28 of his 30 points in the second half. “It’s one of the hardest things to do as a competitor is to have your opponent concede or submit.”
The fifth-seeded Mavericks open the Western Conference semifinals at the top seed, Oklahoma City, on Tuesday night.
“Never in doubt with Kai,” Doncic said. “It’s amazing to see the kind of plays he makes.”
The Mavs added Irving at the trade deadline last year, hoping to create an All-star pairing that would at least match the run to the West finals from 2022.
Instead, injuries and inconsistencies kept the chemistry from developing, and Dallas missed the playoffs, unceremoniously tanking late in the regular season to try to preserve a draft pick.
Irving’s health was a big part of a surge into the top six in the West over the final two months of this season when it appeared the play-in tournament might have to be the route.
Now the Mavs have a series victory in the first postseason together for two players with a combined 13 All-star appearances.
“I’m just in awe each and every night,” said P.J. Washington, a trade deadline addition this year and a key provider of 3-point shooting and defense. “They’re special players and they make special plays each and every night.”
Irving was 10 of 13 from the field in the second half, starting with a layup that broke a 52-52 halftime tie. After a 3-pointer from Doncic, Irving added a 3 for an 8-0 run. Dallas didn’t trail again.