Heroic performance from Kyrie Irving in return lifts Dallas Mavericks over Lakers

The Dallas Mavericks picked up a crucial 111-110 win over the Lakers on Friday night behind a superstar performance from Kyrie Irving and a Maxi Kleber buzzer beating game-winning 3-pointer. The 30-year-old superstar returned from a three-game absence, but he never missed a beat as he went off for 38 points and had the assist on the game-winner to lead the Mavs to victory without Luka Doncic.

Dallas secured the season series over the Lakers with the win, and they moved two games ahead of them in the standings. The Mavs are currently tied for sixth in the Western Conference with the Golden State Warriors, and they will play the defending champions for the tiebreaker on Wednesday night at the American Airlines Center.

The Mavericks' victory at Crypto.com arena on Friday night was massive, and Irving was at the center of it. He raised his game when Dallas needed him most, which is why they traded for a second star before the deadline. Here is a look at Kyrie’s performance on March 17 before taking a look at what is ahead for Dallas.

Heroic performance from Kyrie Irving in return lifts Dallas Mavericks over Lakers

There was no way of telling that Kyrie was coming back off of missing three games with a sore foot. He was a full-go on Friday night, and he delivered an incredible performance. The Lakers threw everything at him, but nothing stopped the 6’2 guard. See one of his many beautiful makes below.

Irving finished with 38 points, six rebounds, and six assists in 39 minutes of action. He made 14 of his 23 field goals, including five 3-pointers in LA. Kyrie did pick up five fouls as the Mavericks outscored the Lakers by 11 with him on the floor. The 30-year-old superstar made all the right plays as he led Dallas to their biggest win of the season.

Fans will not forget Maxi's game-winning buzzer-beater on March 17. See the play again below.

Kleber made just two field goals on Friday night, but one of them was massive. He finished with ten points, four rebounds, and two assists in 29 minutes of action in his second straight start. Dallas has been opening the game with two big men in their last two games, and the Mavericks have won both without superstar Luka Doncic.

Dallas had just four players in double figures, and only Kyrie Irving scored more than 12 points, but the Mavericks did just enough on both ends to pick up their 36th win of the season to move one game over .500.

Anthony Davis had a 26-point double-double for the Lakers, but LA blew a four-point edge with just seven seconds remaining in the contest. They fouled Kleber, who made three clutch free throws. Then, Davis missed one of two to leave their lead at just two and gave the Mavs the final shot, which Kleber sank. His six points in the final seconds were the difference on Friday night, and those points could be what pushes Dallas into the playoffs.

The Dallas Mavericks face the Grizzlies in Memphis on Monday night for their next game. Luka Doncic is hoping to return from his thigh injury as the team needs every win. The Mavs will be going for their third straight victory as they try to build chemistry between their two stars in what will be another crucial game for both teams. Do not miss it.