Kyrie Irving Keeps Mavs’ Playoff Hopes Alive: ‘Not Over Until It’s Over’
Most players aren’t built for the big moment or can’t handle the spotlight when the game is on the line.
Dallas Mavericks star Kyrie Irving is not one of those players.
In Wednesday’s crucial 123-119 victory over the Sacramento Kings, it was Irving’s 19 points in the fourth quarter that helped save Dallas’ season. His game-high 31-point performance included a rainbow 3-pointer from the corner to help clinch the game.
“It’s not over until it’s over,” Irving said in his postgame interview. “We just gotta put one foot in front of the other and keep maintaining the poise, mentality, and keep being there for one another and the results will come.”
Tonight’s win for the Mavericks came with their backs up against the wall, as their play-in tournament hopes were looking rather bleak beforehand. Now, Dallas and the Oklahoma City Thunder hold the same record of 38-42 with two games remaining each, but it’s the Thunder who hold the Mavericks’ destiny in their hands.
“We don’t control our own destiny but we do control our own effort right now,” Irving said.
Oklahoma City holds the tiebreaker over Dallas for the final play-in spot, so for the Mavericks to make the tournament, they must win one more game than the Thunder in the final two games.
Mavericks coach Jason Kidd knows the team still has an uphill battle ahead of them in the final two games, but with a big shot maker in Irving, you have to like your chances.
“It’s just normal. It’s what he does,” Kidd said of Irving’s big shot making.
These clutch, do-or-die moments are what Irving lives to play basketball for. This is why you trade for a player like him. Perhaps this momentum can eventually translate to play-in tournament success.
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