The Dallas Mavericks put an end to their first-round NBA playoff series against the Los Angeles Clippers last night, winning Game 6 by a score of 114-101 behind another impressive 30-point performance from Kyrie Irving.
It was the third 30-point performance from Irving in the series, and his night was highlighted by what he believes was the official dagger that marked the end of the Clippers’ season.
Roughly halfway through the fourth quarter with the Mavericks up, 102-82, Irving attacked P.J. Tucker on a switch and crossed him up to sidestep into a three-pointer that led to a 4-point play.
And when that happened he said, “We knew that was the dagger of the series…those exciting plays, momentum shifters mean a great deal,” via the NBA.
“We knew that was like the dagger of the series… those exciting plays, momentum shifters mean a great deal.”
Kyrie breaks down his 4-point play that helped the Mavs pull away in Game 6 💪#NBAPlayoffs presented by Google Pixel https://t.co/LLRf4F89I3 pic.twitter.com/OCmi66EsXj
— NBA (@NBA) May 4, 2024
Irving put the cap on a magnificent series where he averaged 26.5 points, 5.7 rebounds, and 4.7 assists per game on scintillating 51.4/44.9/85.2 shooting splits.
Dallas and Luka Doncic were able to slay a familiar demon in this series, as the Clippers knocked the Mavs out of the playoffs in the first round in each of the 2019-20 and 2020-21 seasons.
The Mavs are now moving on to face the No. 1 seed Oklahoma City Thunder in the second round, and it’s just the second time they are advancing past the first round since their 2011 NBA Championship run.
If Irving is playing like he did against the Clippers, this Mavs team is capable of beating anybody.
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