With the shot clock ticking down, Mavericks guard Kyrie Irving was trapped in the left corner with a Pacers player draped all over him. But the veteran guard has been in this situation before. He baited Jackson into jumping and drew a foul, earning three free throws that pushed him past 30 points.
After each make from the charity stripe, a faint MVP chant began to pick up steam. The packed, raucous crowd at American Airlines Center knew it was witnessing one of Irving’s offensive master classes, reminiscent of the performances he routinely delivered during the team’s 2024 NBA Finals run.
After missing last season, Irving reminded the AAC that he was back to his peak form. But late in the fourth quarter, his teammate Cooper Flagg received even louder MVP chants on his way to a 43-point performance.
The duo brought back a feeling that had been missing since former Maverick Luka Dončić and Irving routinely put on a show for Dallas fans.
Flagg and Irving combined for 78 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists in a 125-122 comeback victory against the Indiana Pacers on Monday night.
Step up. Become a DLLS Diehard.
Now you can join for $3.99/month, billed monthly. Get premium written coverage, the Diehard Lounge and member-only deals in the Diehard Vault.
Monthly
Annual
Save up to 26% with Annual
Diehard Level 1
$36
/year
Equivalent to $3.00/month, billed annually.
12 monthly payments: $47.88
Save $11.88 a year
Most Popular
Diehard Pro Level
$80
/year
Equivalent to $6.67/month, billed annually.
12 monthly payments: $107.88
Save $27.88 a year
Diehard Level 1
$3.99
/month
Most Popular
Diehard Pro Level
$8.99
/month
Not available
Contact us to switch to this plan.
You’re already a Diehard! Manage your subscription from your dashboard.
Already a Diehard?