Kyrie Irving scored a Dallas Mavericks record 32 points in the 72nd annual NBA All-Star Game on Sunday night in Salt Lake City.
“I was just trying to go have fun,” Irving told the media after the game. “Get up and down a little bit, get ready for what’s coming in the second half of the season, and just get out of here with the primary goal, and that’s to be healthy. So, I accomplished the goal.”
The previous franchise record was set by Rolando Blackman, who scored 29 points in 1987. Mavericks’ legend Dirk Nowitzki had been the closest to that mark with 22 points in the 2010 All-Star Game.
“It’s low,” Irving told reporters after the game as he was asked about the record. “And Dirk wasn’t getting enough shots.”
“I’m happy I could get the record,” he continued. “Again, I was just trying to come out here and have fun.”
Irving came into the weekend determined to make a mark.
“I would love to see some competition in the All-Star Game and actually make it worth the fans’ while,” he told media members in a press conference on Saturday. “Just come out and compete.”
“I know we have the second half of the season to get ready for, but it’s one game to play against my peers and separate ourselves, separate myself, and I just take it with a more serious tone.”
“I’ll come prepared for tomorrow and get a feel of the game, but other than that, I’m coming to do my work,” he concluded.
Team Giannis defeated Team LeBron 184-175.
Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum (Team Giannis) was named the game’s MVP after setting an All-Star Game record with 55 points.
Irving’s 32 points were tied for the second most on Team LeBron with Philadelphia’s Joel Embiid. Boston’s Jaylen Brown led the team with 35.
Fellow Maverick Luka Doncic also started the game for Team LeBron. He scored just four points on only five shot attempts.
Irving also had 15 assists and six rebounds in the game.
The Mavericks (31-29) begin the second half of the season at home at 7:30 p.m. CT against the San Antonio Spurs (14-45) on Thursday.