The Memphis Grizzlies got their third straight win when they came back from a 16-point deficit to beat the Dallas Mavericks on Monday, but that wasn’t the story to come out of this one.
After the game, Dillon Brooks attempted to swap jerseys with Kyrie Irving and while Irving handed over his jersey, he refused to take Brooks’ and walked away.
Kyrie didn’t even take Dillon Brooks jersey 😅 pic.twitter.com/USvpPtIVUq
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) March 21, 2023
The moment went viral and Irving explained his actions after the game.
“I saw that after the game,” Kyrie said. “I’ll probably get it next time. Probably next time. Not this time. I was really onto the next thing, thought process-wise.”
Mavericks' Kyrie Irving says it wasn't intentional that he didn't take Dillon Brooks' jersey in a post-game swap:
"I saw that after the game. I'll probably get it next time. Probably next time. Not this time. I was really onto the next thing, thought process-wise." pic.twitter.com/ItEYxyIeWi
— Grant Afseth (@GrantAfseth) March 21, 2023
Irving certainly would have had a lot on his mind at that point. He had just gone 0-8 in the fourth quarter as the Mavericks blew that big lead to lose 112-108. They had the game in the bag and blew it, which would be a cause for concern for Kyrie.
There is also a chance that it was intentional, as Kyrie, just like so many other players, certainly doesn’t have any love for the controversial Grizzlies guard. He said he would take the jersey the next time they play and the only way that happens this season, is if these two teams meet in the playoffs. The season series between them ended 3-1 in favor of the Grizzlies, who won each of the last three games.
Kyrie Irving Was Wearing A Walking Boot After Dillon Brooks Stepped On Him
Another reason why Kyrie may not have been too keen to take Brooks’ jersey, is that the Grizzlies guard stepped on his foot during the game. Irving was on a tear before the incident, with 20 points by halftime, and he understandably played a lot worse after it, as seen by his 0-8 fourth-quarter performance.
He was wearing a walking boot after the game, although he did make it clear it was only precautionary. Irving added that he hopes to play their next game against the Golden State Warriors on Wednesday. With there still being doubts regarding the availability of Luka Doncic, the team needs Kyrie, who has averaged 28.4 PPG, 6.1 APG, 5.1 APG, and 1.1 SPG as a Mav, to help them get the wins they desperately need. The Mavericks dropped to the 7th seed with this loss and are now a disappointing 36-36 on the season.
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