In an electrifying conclusion to Sunday’s NBA showdown, Dallas Mavericks’ star Kyrie Irving delivered a moment of brilliance, sinking a running left-handed shot at the buzzer. This pivotal play sealed a 107-105 victory over the Denver Nuggets, highlighting a frantic final 26 seconds.
Luka Doncic was in fine form, scoring 37 points, while Irving added 24, propelling the Mavericks (39-29) to their fifth win in six games. This recent surge is a significant turnaround following a challenging phase for Dallas, solidifying their position in the Western Conference playoff race.
“In Kyrie we trust,” declared rookie center Dereck Lively II, contributing 14 points and eight rebounds. “Whenever we see him get the ball, sit back and watch it happen.”
The game took a dramatic turn as the Nuggets, overcoming a 13-point deficit in the fourth quarter, edged ahead on Jamal Murray‘s crucial three-pointer with 26 seconds left. Doncic’s response was swift and decisive, tying the game at 105-105 with a deep three-pointer following a timeout.
As the game hung in the balance, Irving, adept with both hands, executed a masterful left-handed shot from 21 feet, beating the buzzer and securing the win for Dallas. “Sometimes I spend just an hour straight just working on straight left-hand stuff,” Irving shared. “Just being a small guard, you’ve just got to have a multitude of finishes. And that’s something I’ve been working on since I was a kid.”
The Mavericks enthusiastically celebrated the dramatic win, while the Nuggets, led by a quiet Nikola Jokic, processed the narrow defeat. “I wasn’t going to jump into the pile,” commented Dallas coach Jason Kidd, sharing in the team’s joy from a safe distance.
The loss ended the Nuggets’ impressive five-game road winning streak, affecting their standing in the Western Conference. Denver (47-21) now trails Oklahoma City by half a game for the top spot, despite a strong post-All-Star break record.
“I saw Kyrie Irving make a running, left-handed hook from the elbow,” Nuggets coach Michael Malone stated, acknowledging the fine margins that decided the game’s outcome. “We’ve been on both sides of it.”
Despite Jokic’s struggles, managing 16 points and 11 rebounds amid physical play, the Nuggets nearly mounted a complete comeback. However, key moments from Irving and Doncic, along with strategic contributions from players like P.J. Washington Jr., who grabbed 11 rebounds, underscored a collective effort that led to the Mavericks’ triumph.
“I can’t remember the last time we got outrebounded by 22,” Malone reflected on the game’s physical battle, highlighting the challenges Denver faced against a determined Dallas side.
As both teams look ahead to their next games, the Mavericks will carry the momentum of this thrilling victory into their matchup against San Antonio, while the Nuggets aim to bounce back against Minnesota.
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