Update: The Mavericks lost 106-99.
On Wednesday night, the Dallas Mavericks will face off against the Boston Celtics (at home to Texas) in Game 3 of the NBA Finals.
With the first half under his belt, Kyrie Irving made his mark in NBA history by moving into 56th place on the career playoff points list, passing five-time NBA champion Derek Fisher (2,146) and Hall of Famer Gary Payton (2,155).
After Payton and Fisher, the next player Irving will pass will be Hall of Famer Elvin Hayes (2,194).
Kyrie Irving is on fire in the first half of Game 3 🔥
Airs at 8pm PTS and 3pm ABC! pic.twitter.com/hDgNqBh5WP
— NBA (@NBA) June 13, 2024
Irving got off to a great start, finishing with 20 points, two rebounds and one assist on 8-for-14 shooting from the field and 4-for-5 from three-point range in 21 minutes of playing time.
Kylie is locked in. pic.twitter.com/DonNfYHxbn
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) June 13, 2024
Considering how awful Irving played in Boston, his start in Game 3 is a very encouraging sign for Mavs fans.
In Game 2, Irving finished with 16 points, two rebounds and six assists on 7-of-18 field goal attempts and 0-of-3 3-pointers.
Dallas Mavericks guard Kyrie Irving (11) reacts after making a three-point shot during the second quarter of Game 3 of the 2024 NBA Finals against the Boston Celtics at the American Airlines Center on June 12, 2024 in Dallas, Texas, USA. Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports / Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports
Irving, in his second season with the Mavs, finished the regular season with impressive averages of 25.6 points, 5.0 rebounds, 5.2 assists and 1.3 steals in 58 games while shooting 49.7% from the field and 41.1% from three-point range.
This will be his fourth time in the NBA Finals.
In 2016, Irving helped the Cleveland Cavaliers defeat Stephen Curry and the Golden State Warriors to win the NBA championship.
Fly, Kai 🏹 pic.twitter.com/Nne9tBEnQI
— Dallas Mavericks (@dallasmavs) June 13, 2024
The Mavericks are down 2-0 against the Celtics, with Game 4 of the series set for Friday night (also in Dallas).
