Associated PressReading: 3 min.
Kyrie Irving off to an unbeatable start in Dallas’ 110-104 win over Clippers
The brand new entrant to the Texan franchise excelled with 24 points, which turned out to be the winning figure for his team, which did not make up for the lackluster Luka Doncic.
LOS ANGELES — Kyrie Irving scored 24 points in his debut for the Dallas Mavericks, who beat the L.A. Clippers 110-104 on Wednesday night.
The eight-time All-Star was traded from the Brooklyn Nets to the Mavs on Sunday. He was part of a 13–0 run early in the game, scoring eight points on a jumper and making back-to-back 3-pointers.
Irving had four rebounds and five assists in 37 minutes, which amounted to a dress rehearsal before the injured Luka Doncic returned to give the Mavs a potent backcourt. Doncic missed his third straight game with an injured right heel; He joined the team in Los Angeles and there is a question of whether he will play on Friday or Saturday when the Mavs are in Sacramento for back-to-back games.
Irving was greeted with thunderous applause and a boy holding a sign welcoming him to the team when he was introduced as part of the starting lineup.
Early in the fourth, Irving fouled out Paul George. A Clippers fan yelled at him: “I love you, but that was obvious.” Irving laughed and shook his head.
Former Clipper Reggie Bullock scored 15 of his 18 points in the first quarter against his old team. All five Dallas starters reached double figures.
Norman Powell scored 24 points and Terrence Mann added 21 for the Clippers, whose two-game winning streak ended. George added 20 points. Kawhi Leonard, who scored two points in the first half, finished with 18.
Coming off a 4-2 road trip, the Clippers never led in the first quarter and fell behind by 19 points.
For the third, Leonard scored 11 straight to put them up 79–78 on a 20–10 run. Josh Green’s basket put the Mavs ahead 81–78 entering the fourth.
The Mavs quickly extended their lead to 10 points early in the quarter. The Clippers got within five four times, but were stopped by the Mavs.
The Clippers cut their deficit to 60–52 after outscoring Dallas 27–19 in the second period.
The Mavs scored 41 points in the first quarter on 60% shooting from the floor. They outscored the Clippers 21-9 to start the game.
Leonard had two points in the first half and George had 10 as they shot a combined 5 of 14.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
