Kyrie Irving brings spark to lift Dallas Mavericks to road win over Kings

The Dallas Mavericks won their third consecutive game since pulling off the blockbuster trade for Kyrie Irving with a 122-114 victory over the Sacramento Kings on Feb. 10. Luka Doncic missed his fourth straight game with a heel injury on Friday night, but it did not matter as Irving provided a spark.

The Mavericks were winless in the first seven games Doncic missed this season before going 3-0 since making the Kyrie trade. Credit the trade and Irving’s presence for giving the rest of the team a bit of extra energy. Dallas scored 41 in the first quarter in Kyrie’s debut before dropping a season-high 45 on Friday night in Sacramento. The fast start propelled them to their 31st win of the season and a crucial wire-to-wire victory over the Kings.

It was a total team effort by Dallas on Feb. 10. Kyrie Irving led the team in scoring as they had seven players in double figures in the victory. Here is a closer look at the team’s performance before taking a peek at what is next for both teams.

Kyrie Irving brings a spark to lift Dallas Mavericks to road win over the Kings

There was some worry about how Irving and Luka Doncic would fit when the Mavericks pulled off the trade. Number 77 carries a massive workload, but would he be willing to sacrifice to Irving?

Luka has not yet played with his new teammate, but there should be zero concerns. Irving is comfortable playing off the ball and doing all the little things to help his team win. He has set screens, worked off the ball, and set the table of his teammates in his first two games in Dallas. That won’t stop when Doncic returns.

It was not Kyrie’s best game, but he finished with a 25-point double-double with ten assists, three rebounds, and one steal in 35 minutes of action. Irving was five of 14 from the field on Friday night, but a perfect 12 of 12 from the foul line. Dallas has struggled to make their free throws this season, and Kyrie will help massively in that area. Irving was clutch down the stretch to help the Mavs finish off this win.

Irving did show off his range for three 3-pointers on Friday night in Sacramento, including this beauty.

The Mavericks shot the ball well on Feb. 10 as they made 48.9 percent of their 88 field goals. Dallas was 18 of 43 from 3-point range and they made 18 of their 19 free throws in the win. The Kings shot just 33.3 percent from three, and they committed five more turnovers in what was the difference in the game.

Josh Green had his third straight strong game in the starting lineup. The 22-year-old should stay in the opening group when Luka Doncic returns as he keeps making plays on both ends of the floor. He finished 17 points, four rebounds, and seven assists in 38 minutes of action on Friday night as he made seven of his 12 field goals.

Tim Hardaway Jr., Reggie Bullock, Christian Wood, JaVale McGee, and Jaden Hardy all scored at least 11 points in the total team win on Feb. 10 that put Dallas just one game behind the Kings for third in the Western Conference.

The Dallas Mavericks face the Sacramento Kings on the second night of a back-to-back on Saturday night, and Luka Doncic is set to return from his heel injury. Can the Mavs complete the road sweep of the Kings? How will Doncic and Kyrie Irving play together? Do not miss Saturday’s game to find out.