Kyrie Irving’s first game with the Dallas Mavericks was met with rave reviews.
The eight-time All-Star scored 24 points in the Mavericks’ 110-104 road victory over the Los Angeles Clippers.
Irving was traded to the Mavericks from the Brooklyn Nets on Sunday and was in the starting lineup after only one practice with his new teammates.
“Amazing,” injured Mavericks star Luka Doncic told ESPN.
The 30-year-old guard was averaging 27 points per game for the Nets, who acquired Spencer Dinwiddie, Dorian Finney-Smith, and three draft picks in the deal for Irving.
Mavs coach Jason Kidd told a postgame press conference that Irving fit in because he’s a Hall-of-Fame caliber player.
“That’s how talented he is,” Kidd said, according to NBA.com. “He makes things look easy. He works on his craft. He’s a pro, up for any challenge.”
WHAT TO KNOW
— Doncic, sidelined with a right heel contusion, might return for Friday’s or Saturday’s games at the Sacramento Kings, USA Today Sports reported.
— Irving wore uniform No.2 with the Mavericks. He was No.11 with the Nets.
— Markieff Morris also came to Dallas (30-26) in the trade. The 6-foot-9-inch forward did not play Wednesday night.
BY THE NUMBERS
— Norman Powell scored 24 points, Terance Mann added 21 and Paul George 20 for the Clippers (31-27). The Clippers have the sixth-best record in the Western Conference. The Mavericks are No.4.
— Clippers coach Tyronn Lue played for the Mavericks. He appeared in 17 games during the 2007-2008 season.
WHO SAID?
— Irving, speaking on reports his former Nets teammate Kevin Durant will be traded to the Phoenix Suns, commented, “I’m praying for his happiness.”
— Clippers star George spoke on Irving’s debut, as reported by the Orange County Register: “Kyrie had a lot of juice. You could tell he was fresh. New team, new environment, new group. So, I thought they just came out with a new attitude.”
UP NEXT
— The Mavericks travel to Sacramento for two back-to-back games with the Kings on Friday and Saturday. The Kings (31-23) have the third-best record in the West.
— The Clippers await a visit from the Milwaukee Bucks (37-17, No.2 in the Eastern Conference) on Friday night.
