Unreal Kyrie Irving streak comes to an end

Irving's streak got underway in 2015, his first season playing on the LeBron James-led Cavaliers, and continued into his stints with the Celtics, Nets and Mavericks. 

Ten of those closeout wins came as a Cavalier, including his iconic 26-point performance in Game 7 against the Warriors in the 2016 finals. 

As for the remaining four, Irving's Celtics swept the Pacers in the first round of the 2019 playoffs and Irving's Nets closed out the Celtics in five games in the 2021 postseason. And in the ongoing postseason, Irving's Mavericks sent the Clippers and Thunder packing in back-to-back Game 6s. 

During Tuesday's Game 4 loss, Irving had arguably the worst game of the ongoing playoffs as he shot 6-of-18 from the field and committed four turnovers. 

The Timberwolves switched up their defensive coverage on Irving, with Jaden McDaniels and Mike Conley guarding him a lot more after Anthony Edwards undertook the assignment in the first three games of the series.

In his postgame news conference, Irving credited McDaniels for preventing him from getting into his rhythm.

"He has a huge impact," Irving said of McDaniels. "He is a 6'9" wing defender that I'm seeing now for the first time from the start of the game. So it's going to be an adjustment, but I love it. I relish in these types [of] opportunities. It's not the first time I've gone up against a taller defender."

The Timberwolves will try to extend the series with another win in Thursday's Game 5. They are attempting to become the first team in NBA playoff history to overcome a 3-0 deficit.