In Mavs debut, Kyrie Irving scores 24 to lead win over Clippers

Kyrie Irving scored 24 factors and dished out 5 assists in his Dallas Mavericks debut and Tim Hardaway Jr. added 19 factors to energy a 110-104 victory over the host Los Angeles Clippers on Wednesday.

Irving, who was formally acquired from the Brooklyn Nets on Monday, was 9 of 17 from the sphere along with his new crew as he helped choose up the slack for an absent Luka Doncic, who missed his third consecutive recreation with a heel harm.

The Mavericks have gained 4 of their previous 5 video games as they await the debut of an Irving-Doncic duo, which may occur as early as Friday or Saturday, after they play a pair of highway video games in opposition to the Sacramento Kings.

Norman Powell scored 24 factors and Terance Mann added 21 for the Clippers, who misplaced of their return residence. Los Angeles went 4-2 on a highway journey by means of the Eastern Conference as they vacated their area for the Grammy Awards.

Paul George scored 20 factors and Kawhi Leonard had 18 because the Clippers failed to shut out a season-series win. The groups break up their 4 video games this season.

The Mavericks opened with loads of vitality with Irving within the beginning lineup. They led by as many as 19 within the first quarter and held a 41-25 lead after one interval. Irving missed his first two pictures in a Mavericks uniform earlier than making a jumper from the aspect of the important thing 4 minutes into the sport.

Dallas’ Reggie Bullock made his first 5 3-point makes an attempt, all within the first quarter, and completed with 18 factors.

The Clippers closed inside 60-52 at halftime and minimize the deficit to 79-78 earlier than the Mavericks took an 81-78 lead into the fourth quarter.

Dallas elevated the benefit to 94-84 on a 3-pointer from Theo Pinson with 6:41 to play and closed out the sport from there as Irving scored eight factors over the ultimate interval.

Josh Green scored 14 factors for the Mavericks, whereas Dwight Powell had 10. Irving performed 37 minutes in his first recreation in opposition to the Clippers since Feb. 21, 2021, as a member of the Nets.

–Field Level Media/Reuters