Kyrie Irving received two wins for the worth of 1 in his Mavericks debut on Wednesday evening.
First, Irving led the Mavericks, who by no means trailed, with 24 factors in beating the Clippers 110-104 in Los Angeles. Then to high his evening off, he noticed Kevin Durant, his former Nets teammate, get traded to the Suns.
“It felt good to get this debut out of the best way,” Irving stated. “It’s simply been an extended 96 hours, barely any sleep generally. It’s the primary time I ever received traded in the course of the season, so it was new for me, however I’m excited that I’m right here.”
Irving, who was traded to Dallas on Monday, additionally advised reporters after the sport he was glad Durant is now not a Web.
“I simply am glad that [Durant] received out of there. . . . I’m simply praying for his happiness, praying for his well-being,” Irving stated, including that he had been trying to get out of Brooklyn for awhile. “I feel this was within the works like after 12 months 1. I wasn’t positive about whether or not or not I wished to be in Brooklyn long run due to issues that was taking place behind the scenes.
“I simply did my finest to place my head down and work as exhausting as I may. There have been some unlucky circumstances that got here up there that have been out of my management, whether or not it’s the mandate with the vaccine, or lacking video games, being suspended, or simply little issues that simply put simply wrenches in our journey.”
The 30-year-old Irving, who additionally had 5 assists and 4 rebounds, stated he’s trying ahead to taking part in with the injured Luka Doncic to provide Dallas a powerhouse backcourt. Doncic, 23, is recovering from a heel damage he suffered on Feb. 2 towards the Pelicans.
“I’m positive when quantity 77 will get again it’ll be much more gratifying to see and play on the market,” Irving stated.
It is going to be attention-grabbing to see if the 2 ball-dominant guard will play nicely collectively. After the Mavericks’ win, Irving, who scored eight factors throughout a 13-0 Dallas run early within the recreation, stated the offense doesn’t all the time must run by means of him.
“Crucial factor that we pressured as a crew was simply don’t power the ball to me. We simply need to play pure basketball,” Irving stated. “You don’t all the time have to come back to me. You possibly can play off me, I can play off the ball, I can reduce.”
It didn’t take lengthy for Irving and his new teammates to realize chemistry because the Mavericks scored 41 factors within the opening quarter whereas taking pictures 60 p.c from the ground.
“He makes issues look simple,” Mavericks coach Jason Kidd stated. “The consolation degree he feels with us, you would see it within the recreation. He’s at peace together with his basketball recreation.”
