By Dorothy J. Gentry
Sports Editor
Photos: Dorothy J. Gentry, Charles “City ” Gbdaebo and Dallas Maverick
He’s only been a Dallas Maverick for a couple of weeks but he’s already making his presence known.
Kyrie Irving scored 32 points during Sunday night’s NBA All-Star game at Vivint Arena in Salt Lake City, Utah; the most points any member of the Mavs has ever scored in an All-Star game.
He broke former Maverick Rolando Blackman’s record of 29 points scored in the 1987 All-Star Game.
“I think it was just a low total, and Dirk (Nowitzki) wasn’t getting enough shots (during his team-record 14 All-Star appearances). We can call it any way you want,” he said during his post-game media conference.
“But I’m happy I can set that franchise record. Again, I was just trying to come out here and have fun.”
Irving also had a game-high 15 assists; just the sixth time a player has recorded at least that many assists in an All-Star game. Joining him as an All-Star stater was teammate Luka Doncic who scored four points, two rebounds and five assists.
“It was great, man. We had a lot of laughs,” Doncic said post-game of being All-Star teammates with Kyrie. “He’s a great guy. We talk a lot, so it was great to have him here.”
Home Appearances
Irving has played a handful of games for the Mavs since being acquired by the team on Feb. 6th. He made his home debut last Monday at American Airlines Center when the Mavs took on the Minnesota Timber-wolves in their last home game before the All-Star break.
The team lost the game 124-121, but Irving had a game-high 36 points, five rebounds, six assists and two steals,
After the game he expressed regret at not getting the win for the hometown crowd after his Dallas debut.
“I’m grateful I was able to put on a show alongside my team-mates,” Irving said. “Again, I really wanted this win, so to all the Dallas fans at home I apologize for not getting at least a shot up or something. I’m cringing myself.
“But it’s fun in competition, and I’m just learning more about my teammates as we continue to be in these situational games. It just tells a lot about our team on how we respond.”
MFFL’s (Mavs Fans for Life) can get an extended look at Irving and the rest of the Mavs as they open up a 6-game home-stand starting Thursday, Feb.23 against the Spurs; Sunday, Feb. 26 against the Los Angeles Lakers and Tuesday against the Indiana Pacers.
