Kyrie Irving Makes Honest Luka Doncic Statement After Nuggets-Mavs Game

Kyrie Irving spoke about Luka Doncic after Monday's game.

May 24, 2024; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Dallas Mavericks guard Kyrie Irving (11) and guard Luka Doncic (77) celebrate after defeating the Minnesota Timberwolves in game two of the western conference finals for the 2024 NBA playoffs at Target Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-Imagn Images / Brad Rempel-Imagn Images

On Monday night, the Dallas Mavericks lost to the Denver Nuggets (at home in Texas) by a score of 118-99.

Kyrie Irving made his return to action and finished with 11 points, four rebounds, two assists, four steals and one block.

Kyrie is BACK 🙌😤

(per, @JaredSGreenberg) pic.twitter.com/Vj4SeCboUk

— NBA on TNT (@NBAonTNT) January 14, 2025

The Mavs are still playing without Luka Doncic, and after the game, Irving was asked about his superstar teammate (h/t Noah Weber of The Smoking Cuban).

Reporter: "Kyrie, you always talk so nicely about Luka, but does he annoy you in anyway?"

Irving: "Does he ever annoy me? Yeah, people get annoying. He's not the only person that annoys me, I annoy him too. We've just spent a lot of time off the court... Our families getting to know each other. We annoy each other when wine gets going, start telling jokes and he starts bringing up how he beat me when I was in Brooklyn... Annoying is part of friendship and part of brotherhood."

Kyrie Irving when asked about Luka Doncic:

“Does he ever annoy me? Yeah people get annoying. He’s not the only person that annoys me, I annoy him too. We just spend a lot of time off the court just enjoying each other’s presence. Our families getting to know each other. We annoy… pic.twitter.com/69FbkdhFJV

— Noah Weber (@noahweber00) January 15, 2025

Irving and Doncic are in their third season together as teammates.

After missing the 2023 NBA playoffs, they did an excellent job of reaching the 2024 Finals last season.

With the addition of Klay Thompson, the Mavs are expected to make another deep run in the 2025 playoffs.

Dec 15, 2024; San Francisco, California, USA; Dallas Mavericks guard Kyrie Irving (center) greets guard Luka Doncic (left) before the game against the Golden State Warriors at Chase Center. Mandatory Credit: Darren Yamashita-Imagn Images / Darren Yamashita-Imagn Images

The Mavs are currently the sixth seed in the Western Conference with a 22-18 record in 40 games.

They are in the middle of a two-game losing streak (and have gone 3-7 over their last ten).

Doncic has missed each of the previous ten games.

Nov 6, 2024; Dallas, Texas, USA; Dallas Mavericks guard Luka Doncic (77) celebrates with Dallas Mavericks guard Kyrie Irving (11) during the first quarter against the Chicago Bulls at American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images / Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images