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Kyrie Irving shows Mavs fans there's nothing to worry about despite rough game

Bradley Lockett
Bradley Lockett

The Smoking Cuban

Dallas Mavericks v San Antonio Spurs / Christian Petersen/GettyImages

In the whirlwind of the NBA's opening night, Kyrie Irving's performance wasn't the one we anticipated, but there's no need for fans to lose sleep over it. As the Dallas Mavericks' star guard navigated a rough start to the season, he also showcased the resilience and talent that make him who we know him as in this league.

While other Mavericks, Luka Doncic, and Dereck Lively II stood in the spotlight with their 126-119 win over the San Antonio Spurs, it's hard to overshadow Kyrie Irving.

While his numbers of last night's performance are deceiving, Kyrie showed a yielding yet aggressive game. It seemed that Kyrie was more of the point guard, the initiator of the offense.

Kyrie Irving shows Mavs fans there's nothing to worry about despite rough game

His shot selection was great, around the rim, late in the shot clock, and just things you expect from a vet when his shot isn't falling.

Fans were encouraged by the pace and floor spacing as we saw Lively II involved in pick-and-roll with both guards, - a game where it wasn't the "Luka Show" every trip down the court.


It didn't take long for "Mr. 4th Quarter" to make his presence felt in Kyrie Irving. Last night, he delivered a dazzling 10-point performance in the quarter, reminding fans of his clutch capabilities. It's worth noting that he led the league in fourth-quarter scoring last year, cementing his reputation as one of the most reliable closers in the game.

Irving finished the game with a solid night, 22 points, and 6 assists, and some big-time buckets down the stretch. I believe the 2nd half of last night's game is what we should expect to see out of this Mavericks team. While there was some speculation about rotations and lineups, fans should've ended their night satisfied.

Bradley Lockett

Bradley Lockett

Bradley Lockett is a contributor for The Smoking Cuban, where he has been covering the Dallas Mavericks since October 2023. With a Bachelor of Science in Public Relations and Marketing from Texas State University, his background in sports runs deep. A former collegiate football player at Western Colorado University and a multi-sport athlete in high school, his firsthand experience on the field fueled his passion for sports media. Bradley brings unique insight to Mavericks coverage, specializing in game analysis and reader engagement, connecting with fans through in-depth breakdowns and compelling storytelling. Outside of writing, he enjoys traveling, socializing with friends, and watching almost every sport imaginable.