During a Dallas Mavericks vs. Los Angeles Clippers game in November 2023, Kyrie Irving converted one of the most incredible layups of the season. Kyrie attacked the rim with former Defensive Player of the Year Kawhi Leonard guarding him and managed to score despite Leonard palming the ball as Kyrie went for the layup.
This layup is a testament to so many of Kyrie's unique abilities that it's hard to quantify them. He held a tricky dribble into a powerful drive to the rim where he was met by one of the most talented defenders of the last generation. Kyrie had the strength to make it through contact to the ball and his body to gain enough hangtime to find the perfect angle to finish over an outstretched Kawhi.
This isn't even the most incredible Kyrie bucket of the season, which could go to one of his many surprising dunks. The right answer is his buzzer-beater against the Nuggets, a left-handed floating hook shot over Nikola Jokic, which found the basket and gave the Mavericks a win.
Kawhi and Kyrie will likely get many highlights against each other in the coming weeks, as the Mavericks and Clippers get ready to face each other in the first round of the playoff for the third time in five years.
At least it'll be Kyrie's first time in the matchup. He's averaging 25.6 points, 5.0 rebounds, and 5.2 assists this season.
The Mavericks Feel Confident Against The Clippers With Kyrie Irving
For a franchise that's lost to the Clippers twice in the playoffs in the last five seasons, the Mavericks are going into this series extremely confident. After all, this is the first time they have had a caliber of Kyrie's player on the roster. Luka Doncic is glad to have Kyrie by his side as well, recently commenting on how Kyrie's presence changes the matchup.
"We have [Kyrie Irving]. The whole team is different. ... We're playing great together, but the Clippers have an amazing team. They have unbelievable talent, so every game is going to be really tough."
The Mavericks had overachieved in both 2020 and 2021 when they matched up with the Clippers, who were title favorites both years. The Mavericks gave them a fight but didn't have the talent to limit Kawhi's production or execute in late-game situations as the Clippers did.
In addition to Kyrie, the Mavericks have essentially a new nucleus around Doncic. While players from previous series' such as Maxi Kleber, Tim Hardaway Jr., Josh Green, and Dwight Powell are on the roster, the additions of Daniel Gafford, P.J. Washington, Dereck Lively II, Dante Exum, Derrick Joners Jr., and more make this a completely new Mavs squad.
This series might be the best first-round matchup in the playoffs, with both teams having tons to lose with a first-round elimination.
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