Tireless in his chase towards delivering NBA championship No. 2 to both his team’s trophy case, as well as his own, Kyrie Irving has used the 2024 NBA Playoffs to confirm the already known: the Dallas Mavericks can rest assured, knowing that no player, fittingly, is as creative in the art of using glass. Keeping urgent, even with a 21-point edge in the early first half, Irving charges into the paint with purpose, cataloging through his endless bag of tricks in search of a move to conquer the Minnesota Timberwolves’ trio of defenders. Explosive in his gather step, the future Hall of Famer hangs a high-arching rainbow floater over Rudy Gobert’s near-eight-foot wingspan, using just enough English to bank in an invigorating bucket. Irving made greatness his language of choice throughout the second quarter, going a perfect five-of-five for a 15-point takeover to guide Dallas to both a 29-point halftime lead, and ultimately, a series-sealing win on May 30, 2024. Matching his All-Star backcourt mate point-for-point, Irving torched Minnesota for 36 points, four rebounds, five assists, and four 3-pointers, stamping his ticket to the NBA Finals against his former team in the process. · May 31, 2024