Facing urgency, Kyrie Irving delivered when it mattered the most for the Dallas Mavericks.
Irving ignited his hands at crunch time, flaming for 19 fourth-quarter points to lead the Mavericks on a needed 123-119 dub over the Sacramento Kings to keep his team’s play-in hopes alive.
Irving was passive in the first half, just tallying six markers. But he blazed off in a timely manner to lead the Mavs on a Wednesday rally to overcome a 13-point lead by the Kings in the third frame.
“Not every fourth quarter is like that for me,” Irving said, via Associated Press. “You look back to the last few games, I wish I could have played as well as I did tonight. Just desperation basketball. It’s not like it’s the first time I’ve been in a must-win game, so it felt good.”
Irving poured high-arcing treys in the fourth, chipping 4-of-5. He went off with 7-for-11 in total.
Luka Doncic had 29 points and 10 rebounds, while Tim Hardaway Jr. got 24 to support Dallas.
The Mavericks (38-42) maintained themselves in the final play-in spot, but were still 11th in the West as the Oklahoma City Thunder own their tiebreaker.
