The Atlanta Hawks hosted the Dallas Mavericks without Luka Doncic for an anticipated clash between the franchises which led to the Mavs picking up a 129-119 win behind a Kyrie Irving fourth-quarter masterclass. During the game, Hawks fans decided to mock Kyrie by chanting ‘Earth is round’ at the star guard when he was shooting free throws, referencing his comments from years ago about the possibility of a flat earth.
“Hawks fans chanting “the Earth is round” as Kyrie Irving goes to the line.”
Hawks fans ended up antagonizing Kyrie for no reason, as Irving ended the night with 32 points (11-28 FG) and seven rebounds, scoring 16 points in the fourth quarter to lead the Mavericks’ comeback after they were trailing for most of the evening. It was a crucial win for the Mavs, who are 10-8 on the season and 3-1 without Doncic in the lineup
The Hawks have fallen to 7-11 on the season after this loss, showing that the team is not looking to be among the contenders after a bold move this summer to trade Dejounte Murray away for Dyson Daniels and Larry Nance Jr.
The Daniels move has paid off as a genuine defensive complement to Trae Young in the backcourt, but the team is just not as consistent as some of their contemporaries in the East or the West.
The Mavericks are expected to play one more game without Doncic in the lineup, a highly-anticipated matchup against the New York Knicks at home. This could be Jalen Brunson’s first game in Dallas since he left the franchise in 2022, but it’ll be sad to see his former teammate and close friend Luka not suit up for the matchup.
Given the way the Knicks dominated the Nuggets tonight, the only team to beat the Mavs without Luka this season, the Mavericks will be cautious heading into their next game.
Kyrie played through an illness tonight and Mavs fans will be hoping he’s fit enough to play. He made it clear after the game that he never intended on missing the Hawks game either, as he knows he needs to lead the team in Luka’s absence right now.
“Hell no. No, sorry. No, no, no. It didn’t cross my mind. I was just thinking about being there for my guys as much as they’re there for me. It was just a gutsy win.”
Irving is averaging 24.6 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 5.4 assists this season. He’ll need to elevate his production even more against the feared Knicks on Wednesday, especially with Klay Thompson also currently ruled out with left foot plantar fasciitis.
If Kyrie is also ruled out of any games before Luka and Klay return, the chances of winning games will greatly diminish for the reigning NBA Finalists.
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