How Kyrie Irving Made NBA History In Mavs-Celtics Game : Kyrie Irving is one of the most talented and exciting players in the NBA. He is known for his dazzling push-ups, clutch shots and masterful pedigree. But did you know that he also made NBA history in a recent game against the Boston Celtics?
In this blog post, we will explore how Kyrie Irving achieved a remarkable feat that only a few players have done before. We will also compare his performance with his former teammate and rival, Kemba Walker, who plays for the Celtics. And we will look at some of the implications of this milestone for Irving’s legacy and the Dallas Mavericks’ playoff hopes.
Table of Contents
How Kyrie Irving Made NBA History In Mavs-Celtics Game
What Did Kyrie Irving Do?
On Friday, March 1, 2024, the Dallas Mavericks faced the Boston Celtics at the TD Garden in Massachusetts. The game was a close and competitive one, with both teams exchanging leads and runs throughout the night. The final score was 115-112 in favor of the Mavericks, who improved their record to 35-25 and secured the seventh seed in the Western Conference.
But the game was also memorable for another reason: Kyrie Irving made NBA history by surpassing Kemba Walker on the all-time three-pointers list. Irving entered the game with 1,669 career three-pointers, one behind Walker, who had 1,670. Irving wasted no time in catching up to Walker, as he made his first three-pointer of the game in the first quarter. He then made two more in the second quarter, and one more in the third quarter, giving him a total of four for the game and 1,673 for his career.
By doing so, Irving moved up to the 34th spot on the all-time three-pointers list, leaving Walker behind at the 35th spot. Irving also became the youngest player to reach 1,670 career three-pointers, at the age of 32 years and 18 days. The previous record holder was Stephen Curry, who achieved the feat at the age of 32 years and 68 days.
Irving finished the game with 31 points, six rebounds, seven assists, and two steals, while shooting 12/21 from the field and 4/9 from the three-point range. He was the leading scorer and playmaker for the Mavericks, who also got contributions from Luka Doncic (24 points, eight rebounds, six assists), Kristaps Porzingis (18 points, 10 rebounds, three blocks), and Tim Hardaway Jr. (16 points, four three-pointers).
How Did Kemba Walker Perform?
Kemba Walker, on the other hand, had a disappointing game against his former teammate and the team that drafted him. Walker scored only 13 points, while shooting 5/15 from the field and 1/6 from the three-point range. He also had four rebounds, four assists, and two turnovers, but he was a minus-11 in the plus/minus rating, the worst among the Celtics starters.
Walker, who was traded from the Celtics to the Mavericks in the offseason, has been struggling with injuries and inconsistency this season. He is averaging 17.4 points, 3.7 rebounds, 5.1 assists, and 1.2 steals per game, while shooting 41.8% from the field and 36.2% from the three-point range. These are his lowest numbers since his rookie season in 2011-12.
Walker has also been overshadowed by the emergence of Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown, who have become the new stars and leaders of the Celtics. Tatum and Brown combined for 58 points, 15 rebounds, and 10 assists against the Mavericks, but they could not overcome the lack of support from their teammates. The Celtics fell to 30-30 and dropped to the eighth seed in the Eastern Conference.
Also Read: Nick Saban’s Retirement as The Head Coach of Alabama Football
What Does This Mean For Kyrie Irving And The Mavericks?
Kyrie Irving’s historic achievement is not only a testament to his individual brilliance, but also a sign of his growth and maturity as a player and a person. Irving, who has been criticized in the past for his attitude, ego, and injuries, has shown that he can be a positive and productive leader for the Mavericks. He has embraced his role as the veteran mentor and co-star to Doncic, who is the franchise player and MVP candidate. He has also been more vocal and active in social justice and humanitarian causes, such as donating money and supplies to the victims of the Texas winter storm.
Irving’s milestone also boosts the Mavericks’ chances of making a deep run in the playoffs. The Mavericks have been one of the hottest teams in the league since the All-Star break, winning 12 of their last 15 games. They have also been playing better defense, ranking 10th in defensive rating since the break, compared to 23rd before the break. With Irving, Doncic, Porzingis, and a solid supporting cast, the Mavericks have the talent and chemistry to challenge any team in the West.
Conclusion
Kyrie Irving made NBA history in Mavs-Celtics game by surpassing Kemba Walker on the all-time three-pointers list. He also became the youngest player to reach 1,670 career three-pointers, breaking Stephen Curry’s record. Irving outplayed Walker, who had a poor game against his former team. Irving’s feat also showed his improvement as a player and a leader, and helped the Mavericks secure a crucial win in their playoff push.
Irving is one of the most skilled and creative players in the NBA, and he has proven that he can also be one of the most efficient and effective. He is not only a great scorer, but also a great passer, defender, and winner. He is a joy to watch and a nightmare to guard. He is Kyrie Irving, and he is making NBA history.