The stakes weren’t as high as they were during last spring’s postseason, but in taking his opponent’s best shot at payback, Kyrie Irving confirmed once more that the Oklahoma City Thunder didn’t quite have his team’s number. Judging by their need for a map during his in-and-out dribble, the NBA’s No. 1 defense was unaware of his location, as well. Artful, as always, in his ability to create something from nothing, Irving turns Cason Wallace’s gamble into a win for himself, before giving Jalen Williams identical treatment with a rapid-fire misdirection. In need of a crafty finish to match his nifty handle, Irving scoops in an acrobatic, double-clutch finish, boosting the Dallas Mavericks’ first half lead to 18. Successful in surviving the Thunder’s inevitable comeback charge, Irving found victory on the backs of a 25-point performance (on 9-of-19 shooting), paired with five rebounds, five assists, one steal, and three 3-pointers on January 17, 2025. · Jan 18, 2025