The Dallas Mavericks lost to the Indiana Pacers 133-111 on Sunday night, ending their winning streak at seven.
Dallas' comeback ultimately fell short, and an inadvertent turnover led to an away loss. Mavs guard Tim Hardaway Jr. also struggled mightily, shooting poorly and slowing down Dallas' offense.
Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving did their part and combined for 62 points, but it wasn't enough to defeat the Pacers.
Irving took his game to the next level in the fourth quarter, and at one point it looked like he was going to get the Mavs back in the game after trailing by four points. Irving had his usual show in the fourth quarter, but it wasn't enough.
Irving has been phenomenal for Dallas since returning from injury, and if he can stay healthy, this Mavs team is lethal. They're a completely different team when he's on the floor, and he and Luka form one of the best duos in the NBA.
Irving's 3-level scoring is out of this world, and his ability to finish downhill is difficult to stop. He also likes working outside the post, and he often jokes that he's actually a power forward. Irving has a great fadeaway jumper and takes easy shots while leaning his body.
Despite being a great scorer out of the post for many years, an ESPN analyst recently had a terrible opinion of Irving. On First Take Monday morning, Shannon Sharpe said, “Kyrie's 6 feet tall, but nobody's posting up,” and when asked by Kendrick Perkins, Irving didn't have a post game.
Shannon Sharpe: “Who? [the Mavericks] Did you know they can play with their back to the basket? ”
Kendrick Perkins: “Luka [Doncic] &Kylie [Irving]. ”
S: “Kylie is 6 feet tall! He won't post anyone!”
K: “Kyrie doesn’t have a post game?”
S: “Yes! Yes!”pic.twitter.com/rAUaNQI8u2
— Clutch Points (@ClutchPoints) February 26, 2024
This is an embarrassingly bad interpretation of Sharpe that ignores the fact that Irving is one of the best guards outside the post in the NBA. Sharpe's observations indicate he hasn't watched much Mavs basketball this year, which has been typical for many national analysts on ESPN and other broadcasters this season.
The Mavs' next game is tomorrow night against the Cleveland Cavaliers.
Check out the latest information on Kyrie Irving and the Dallas Mavericks.
