Kyrie Irving Admits He Considered Swinging On Payton Pritchard Over Half-Court Bombs In 2024 Finals

Then, in Game 5, with Dallas already trailing 64-46 at halftime, Pritchard nailed another buzzer-beating half-court. It was the only shot he made in that game, and yet it was a backbreaker, a punctuation mark on the Celtics’ championship clincher, as they went on to win 106-88 and seal their 18th NBA title.

Irving, who averaged 19.8 points, 5.0 assists, and 3.0 rebounds in the series while shooting 41.4% from the field and 27.6% from three, had a rocky start in Games 1 and 2 but bounced back with a strong Game 3. Still, it wasn’t enough. 

The Celtics took a 3-0 series lead, Dallas fought off the sweep in Game 4, but Boston closed the door in Game 5. The Pritchard daggers, though statistically irrelevant, were emotionally devastating and clearly unforgettable for Kyrie.

Now, Irving is recovering from an ACL injury he suffered in March 2025. He’s not rushing the process, especially with the new era in Dallas unfolding. Following the blockbuster trade that sent Luka Doncic to the Lakers for Anthony Davis, the Mavericks won the No. 1 overall pick and selected Cooper Flagg, ushering in a retooling phase around a younger core.

As Irving watches from the sidelines, healing and reflecting, he hasn’t lost his humor or honesty. His Pritchard comments, while half-serious, underline just how intense and emotionally draining the Finals were and how even a role player’s improbable shot can rattle one of the game’s most seasoned superstars.