It didn’t take long Mavericks security guard Kyrie Irving to make an impact in his first game in more than 19 months, writes Eddie Sefko of Mavs.com. The nine-time All-Star, who missed all of last season with a torn left ACL, made a reverse layup Jabari Smith Jr on the first possession of Dallas’ 132-115 win over Houston on Sunday.
“A lot of emotions” said Irving.I am grateful that Dusty called the first play for me. I was ready to attack. I saw Jabari switch so I was just trying to take advantage of the matchup. It was nice to get that out of the way. I dreamed how it would be. Just being able to perform at a high level felt amazing.”
Irving, 34, will make $39.5 million this season and has a $42.4 million player option for 2027-28. The 34-year-old player had 17 points (6-of-13 shooting), three assists and two rebounds in 22 minutes.
“It’s just impressive, his physical condition and his mental state“, head coach Dusty May said. “Also, he’s an artist, a jazz musician, to see how he sees the game, thinks about the game. I didn’t expect him to play so well. This is a testament to his work.
“I think guys like him and Coop (Cooper Flag), their weight, the leverage they provide, makes everyone else exponentially better. Every player on our roster that we put on the court with these guys has the best opportunity.”
We have more on Mavericks:
- Irving is excited to play with Flagg, the reigning Rookie of the Year and the first overall pick in last year’s draft, for Brad Townsend of The Dallas Morning News. One reporter asked Irving to compare his potential with Flagg to his previous pairings LeBron James and Kevin Durant. “They are in their own separate categories and trajectories” said Irving.I will say this: I think Coop lives up to the fact that he has such a competitive nature at a very young age. Being able to lead a team, being on a great team… And I like that he’s a two-way player. I love that he cares about using his voice as he grows up to be two years old.”
- After Friday’s preseason game, Maye complimented Flagg, who finished the game with 19 points, six rebounds, three assists, one steal and one block in 19 minutes. “When the light is on, it moves differently,” May said (story via Christian Clark of The Athletic). “It’s something you never know until you experience it. His potential is off the charts.“
- Recruit Sergio de Laurea is another Maverick said to have impressed May Grant Offset of the Dallas Sports Journal. “He was incredibly valuable” May said.”Anyone who watched him in the Summer League could tell he was a gamer. When the lights came on, I said this about Coop, he’s similar. He looks more focused, looks more in-game than in practice, and trains well. But yes, his competitive spirit, he has a factor. I mean, he can affect the game in different ways. As a young guy, there are still some weaknesses and he attacks them daily. But yeah, we were very, very happy with it, especially when the lights are on.” The Spanish guard averaged 10 points, 5.0 assists, 4.5 rebounds and 1.5 steals in 23 minutes per game in two preseason contests.
- with Derek Lively II still recovering from foot surgery and lottery picks Morez Johnson Jr resting, May began Daniel Gafford at the center on Sunday, with a veteran Dwight Powell getting the bulk of the minutes on the backup five, up front Moussa Cisse. May explained why he was “very, very comfortable” using Powell after the game, Clarke tweets. “His ability to bond and keep a group organized is pretty obvious when you watch him play” May said.”If you look at the age of our second block, Sergio and Max (Christie) and all these young guys, it just gives us another pressure relief and an outlet. It creates a great look. He is a very smart veteran basketball player. So there are several different components to the development of young players. Putting him in there with the guys (he’s) trying to help them, make them better, test them well. It’s just a decision where we felt like we played well with him on the floor.” Powell and Cisse could compete for the 15th roster spot, as the Mavericks currently have 16 players on standard deals before opening night.