Without their All-Star guard, the Dallas Mavericks nearly erased a 28-point lead on Christmas Day. Anthony Edwards wasn't going to let that happen.
ANTMAN TO THE RACK
— NBA (@NBA) December 25, 2024
Clutch bucket to put Minnesota up 4!
18.6 seconds remaining...
MIN/DAL | #NBAXmas
ABC, ESPN, ESPN+ & Disney+ pic.twitter.com/csf6IJ8Tgt
Behind Kyrie Irving's 15 fourth-quarter points, the Mavericks cut the Minnesota Timberwolves' lead down to two points, before Edwards drove to the hoop to give them a two-possession lead with 18 seconds to go.
Klay Thompson, who had hit his fourth three-pointer seconds earlier, couldn't hit again and the Wolves escaped with a 105-99 win.
2-POINT GAME IN DALLAS
— NBA (@NBA) December 25, 2024
MIN 101
DAL 99
Mavs have come back from 28 down
MIN/DAL | #NBAXmas
ABC, ESPN, ESPN+ & Disney+ pic.twitter.com/JKLyowpoau
It was a furious comeback that the Mavericks pulled off without Luka Doncic, who left before halftime with a calf strain. That meant they ran their offense through Irving, who responded with a 39-point performance.
Kyrie (39 PTS) was in his bag for #NBAXmas hoops
— NBA (@NBA) December 25, 2024
Mavs cut a 28-point lead to just 2 before falling at home. pic.twitter.com/Oedu1XZbMa
Edwards (26 points) staved off the comeback with two big shots in the final 1:17. After the game, he was effusive in his praise for Irving, who he called his "favorite point guard of all time."
"To me he's the greatest point guard... he knows he's my favorite point guard of all time."
— NBA (@NBA) December 25, 2024
Ant with BIG props for Kyrie after battling pic.twitter.com/AbBWAGOdez
Edwards might love Irving, but he loves winning on Christmas Day more. In a rematch of the Western Conference Finals, Edwards walked away with some holiday revenge.
More must-reads:
Get the latest news and rumors, customized to your favorite sports and teams. Emailed daily. Always free!