CLEVELAND — On Tuesday night, Kyrie Irving and the Dallas Mavericks will invade Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse, and the Cavaliers will face one of the greatest players to ever wear a uniform.
Irving has not played against the Cavs since Dec. 26, 2022, when the eight-time NBA All-Star guard returned to Cleveland as a member of the Brooklyn Nets. Irving, who was drafted No. 1 overall by the Cavs in 2011, scored 32 points in the Nets' 125-117 victory.
Less than two months later, the Nets traded Irving to his fourth NBA team, the Mavericks. Irving's other landing spot was the Boston Celtics, who acquired him in 2017 after he requested a trade from the Cavs.
Irving was tired of being second fiddle to LeBron James in Cleveland. Irving's sudden departure didn't leave most Cavs fans with warm, fuzzy feelings for him, but his departure erased his legendary 3-point shot in the deciding game of Game 7 of the 2016 NBA Finals. It is not possible.
Irving's clutch shots played a big role in the Cavs defeating the Golden State Warriors 93-89 and winning their only championship. The win, of course, ended a nearly 52-year title drought among Cleveland's major professional sports teams.
The last time the Cavs (37-19) faced the Mavericks (33-24), Cleveland won 113-110 on Dec. 27 in Dallas. Irving was unable to play due to a heel injury.
Irving's story aside, the Mavs should give the Cavs a good measuring stick game, especially with the presence of Irving and five-time All-Star guard Luka Doncic. The Cavs are 24-2 against teams below .500 this season, but 13-17 against teams above .500.
Tipoff occurred Tuesday just after 7 p.m. Check here for updates on the entire game.
Below is information regarding the second quarter.
Mavericks star Luka Doncic caught fire after his shot was blocked by Cavaliers' Max Strus, and Dallas led Cleveland 60-56 at halftime.
Doncic caught fire when Cavs small forward Max Strus blocked Doncic's layup attempt with 3:19 left in the first half.
Doncic made all four 3-pointers and two foul shots in the final 2:57 of the second quarter. He scored 14 of the Mavericks' final 15 points of the first half, cutting the Cavaliers' lead to 60-56 at halftime.
Doncic had 27 points on 9-of-15 shooting (including 4-of-6 from 3-point range) at halftime. Cavs All-Star guard Donovan Mitchell scored a team-high 13 points on 5-of-10 shooting in the first two quarters.
Max Strus and Donovan Mitchell energize Cavs fans late in second quarter against Mavericks
The Cavs took a 56-41 lead in a highlight-worthy sequence on both ends of the field.
First, Strus blocked Doncic's layup (see above).
Then, with 3:10 remaining, Mitchell made a 3-point shot off an assist from Strus.
When Mavericks coach Jason Kidd called a timeout, the Cleveland crowd went wild. Unfortunately for Cavaliers fans, Doncic's shot after the timeout was as hot as a habanero.
Donovan Mitchell's 3-point shot gives Cavs cushion in second quarter against Mavericks.
The Mavericks called a timeout with 7:05 left in the second quarter.
Mitchell just hit a 3-pointer to give the Cavs a 41-31 advantage, their largest lead of the game up to that point.
After the timeout, Mitchell made another 3-pointer, giving the Cavs a 44-31 lead with 6:38 left in the second quarter.
Below is information regarding the first quarter.
The Cavs trailed the Mavericks 24-23 at the end of the first quarter.
Cavs reserve forward Georges Niang hit a wide-open 3-pointer off an assist from sixth man Caris LeVert to tie the score at 20-20 with 1:45 left in the first quarter.
But with 28 seconds left, center Daniel Gafford made a layup off an assist from Doncic, giving the Mavericks a 24-23 lead at the end of the first quarter.
Doncic led all players with 11 points on 4-of-7 shooting from the field at the end of the first quarter.
Kyrie Irving receives warm welcome from Cleveland Cavs fans
Have you ever heard that time heals all wounds?
Irving received a big round of applause from Cavs fans during player introductions before the game. Few boos could be heard from the area of the arena where media will be active during the game. You can hear it in action in the video tweeted below.
The lovefest lasted until about halfway through the first quarter.
With 6:36 left in the first quarter, Irving hit a 3-pointer from the left baseline off an assist from Doncic, and the Cavs called their first timeout of the game.
Afterwards, the Cavs displayed a welcome back message praising Irving on the video board. The audience cheered wildly, and Irving made a heart shape with his hands to show his gratitude. The moment can be seen in the video tweeted below.
Below is the pre-match information.
What is the injury report for Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Dallas Mavericks?
The Cavs are without one player due to injury: backup point guard Ty Jerome (ankle).
The Mavericks are without guard Dante Exum (knee), Doncic (broken nose), guard/forward Josh Green (elbow), forward/center Maxi Kleber (broken nose) and center Derek Leib. Lee II (nose fracture) has been listed as a possible player.
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What kind of history is there between the Cavs and Mavericks?
The Cavs have an overall record of 44 wins and 40 losses in series against the Mavericks. The Cavs have won the last three meetings.
Cleveland's home record against Dallas is 24 wins and 18 losses.
How can I watch, stream, or listen to the Cavs vs. Mavs game?
The game will be televised locally on Barry Sports, Ohio, and on radio on WTAM (11 a.m.), WMMS (100:07 a.m. FM) and WNZN (89:01 a.m. FM).
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Nate Ulrich can be reached at nulrich@thebeaconjournal.com. On Twitter: @NateUlrich.
