Kyrie Irving added another highlight to his already illustrious career when he hit an improbable left-handed hook shot over a 2-time MVP Nikola Jokic to lift the Dallas Mavericks to a thrilling 107-105 victory over the Denver Nuggets.
The Mavericks and Nuggets Were Neck-and-Neck for Most of the Game
The Mavericks got out to an early lead in the first quarter, leading by as many as 8 points.
However, the Nuggets clawed their way back into the game behind the all-around brilliance of Nikola Jokic. At halftime, the score was knotted up at 51 apiece.
In the third quarter, the two teams continued to exchange buckets. Luka Doncic was feeling it from downtown, hitting multiple three-pointers to keep the Mavericks in front.
However, Jamal Murray matched him shot for shot, knocking down pull-up jumpers and getting to the rim at will.
Going into the fourth quarter, Dallas held a slim 2-point lead.
The Nuggets Make a Furious Fourth Quarter Comeback
The Mavericks looked poised to close out the Nuggets after stretching their lead to 13 points with just over 6 minutes left in regulation.
However, Jamal Murray caught fire, scoring 8 straight points to catalyze a 14-2 run that put the Nuggets back on top 105-102 with just 28 seconds remaining.
After Michael Porter Jr. blocked a shot attempt by Luka Doncic, it looked like the Nuggets were going to escape with a gritty comeback win. But Doncic had other plans.
Luka Doncic’s Clutch Three Sets the Stage for Kyrie’s Heroics
With the Mavericks trailing by 3, Doncic pulled up from 30 feet and drilled an improbable game-tying three-pointer.
On the next Nuggets possession, Jamal Murray misfired on a midrange jumper, giving the Mavericks one final chance to win it with 2.8 seconds left.
During the ensuing timeout, head coach Jason Kidd drew up a play to get his most clutch player, Kyrie Irving, an open look.
Irving caught the inbounds pass, dribbled to the elbow, spun away from defender Aaron Gordon, and put up an improbable left-handed floater from 21 feet as time expired.
Kyrie’s Circus Shot Goes In, Mavericks Win 107-105
Somehow, someway, Irving‘s desperation lefty hook found the bottom of the net, sending the American Airlines Center crowd into a frenzy. Irving sprinted towards the Mavericks bench with his hands in the air as his teammates mobbed him in joyous celebration.
“It’s just a shot I work on constantly, just getting to my spots,” said Irving after the game. “It went in tonight, and I’m just glad it went in for my teammates.”
Luka Doncic was in awe of Irving‘s game-winner, saying
“I don’t know how he made that shot. He makes the most impossible shots I’ve ever seen.”
What This Means for the Mavericks’ Playoff Hopes
This thrilling last-second victory pulls the Mavericks within 3 games of the Nuggets for the 2nd seed in the West.
After looking left for dead after a 6-game losing streak, the Mavs have recovered to win 5 of their last 6 contests behind Luka Doncic‘s MVP-level play and Kyrie Irving settling into his new role.
With about 20 games left in the regular season, the Mavericks still have an outside shot to climb all the way to the 2nd spot. But even if they finish as a lower seed, this team has proven they can compete with the best squads when clicking on all cylinders.
After their early season struggles, the Mavericks appear to be gelling at the right time. And with certified buckets-getters like Doncic and Irving capable of providing clutch heroics on any given night, Dallas may emerge as a dark horse threat in the loaded Western Conference playoffs.
Sources:
www.nba.com/news/kyrie-irving-game-winner-lefty-hook-shot-lifts-mavericks-past-nuggets-horry-scale
www.si.com/fannation/nba/fastbreak/news/kyrie-irving-absurd-buzzer-beater-went-viral-in-nuggets-mavs-game-nba-sunday
sports.yahoo.com/kyrie-irving-hits-wild-left-handed-floater-at-the-buzzer-to-lift-mavericks-past-nuggets-220646680.html
