The Dallas Mavericks are trailing 2-0 to the Boston Celtics in the NBA Finals, with Kyrie Irving’s underwhelming performance being a significant factor.
Acknowledging this, Irving reached out to Luka Doncic to take responsibility.
“I started by reaching out to my hermano, letting him know it’s my fault and taking accountability for my performance,” Irving shared, according to Kurt Helin of NBC Sports.
In the first two games, Irving has averaged just 14 points per game, shooting a dismal 35.1 percent from the field. He has yet to make a three-pointer, missing all eight attempts, and has only two free throw attempts to his name.
“I can improve my fundamentals and be more technical with my shots. I need to avoid the paint when it’s crowded with defenders and make better passes,” Irving explained. The Celtics have effectively disrupted Irving’s game by deploying multiple defenders, with Jrue Holiday often leading the defensive efforts against the eight-time All-Star.
Doncic has been stellar, averaging 31 points, 10.5 rebounds, and six assists per game while shooting 51.1 percent. Despite his triple-double in Game 2, the Mavericks still haven’t secured a win against Boston.
For Dallas to turn the series around, Irving needs to elevate his game. The Mavericks lack the depth of elite talent that the Celtics possess. While Boston boasts six players capable of dominating any game, Dallas relies heavily on Doncic and Irving. When either of them struggles, the team suffers.
The Mavericks’ role players have been largely ineffective in the first two games. P.J. Washington averages 15.5 points per game but struggles with efficiency, shooting 45.5/12.5/80.0. Dereck Lively II and Josh Green have been almost invisible. The shift to Dallas for the next games might help the supporting cast, but Irving’s improvement is crucial for the Mavericks to compete seriously.
Irving has faced similar challenges before, notably in 2016 when he helped the Cleveland Cavaliers overcome a 2-0 deficit to the Golden State Warriors, eventually winning the series in seven games with Irving hitting the championship-clinching three-pointer in Game 7. Although that was eight years ago with different teams, it proves that Irving can rise to the occasion.
The key might lie in Irving decoding the Celtics’ formidable defense, which is no easy task. Game 3 of the NBA Finals is set for Wednesday night, and the Mavericks need Irving to find his form to stay in the hunt for the championship.