With just under eight minutes left in the second quarter, the Dallas Mavericks led the Houston Rockets by 22 points. The energy was gone and Dallas' defense wasn't playing as well as it has of late.
Dallas seemed to start the game poorly, but that was reflected in the score. It was the first time in a month that the Mavs faced such adversity, but their ability to fight back and beat the Rockets 147-136 shows what kind of team they are.
Dallas never gave up and Kyrie Irving's performance down the stretch was unbelievable.
Irving finished with 48 points, seven rebounds and two assists on 15-for-25 shooting from the field, 3-for-8 downtown and 13-for-15 from the free throw line. Although he played calm throughout the game, his performance in the clutch was what set him apart from other players.
Irving scored 25 points in the fourth quarter and overtime, and his shot-making ability led his team to victory. Dante Exum and PJ Washington also had well-timed hits, but Irving won the game like it was no big deal.
Kyrie Irving today:
– 48 points
– 7 rebounds
– 15-25 shots from the field
– 25 points in the 4th quarter and overtime— Noah Weber (@noahweber00) April 7, 2024
Whether he's hitting pull-up threes, getting to the bucket and drawing contact, or breaking down defenses and finishing with crazy reverse layups, Irving knows he's one of the best clutch players in the NBA. I'm sure no one would want that. He will play against Dallas in the playoffs.
Luka Doncic also dominated this game with 37 points, 9 rebounds, and 12 assists, and his ability to play alongside Irving is what makes this Mavs team so dangerous in the playoffs. Both players can take over the game at any time and are always genuinely happy to see the other succeed.
The combination of Irving and Doncic is without a doubt one of the best in the league, and they proved today that they can win tough games even when the odds are against them. Irving, along with Doncic, continues to show that he is an outstanding leader and has the potential to make a deep run in the playoffs this season.
Irving and Doncic's next game is Tuesday night against the Charlotte Hornets.
Stay tuned with us for all the latest news on Luka Doncic, Kyrie Irving, and the Dallas Mavericks’ fierce playoff push
