“ How many matches have they won in a row? Was it 17? It's crazy. » Kyrie Irving and the different formations in which he played actually remained on 13 straight defeats against the Celtics. But this series ended last night, with the resounding victory of the survival of the Mavs.
“ It took a while, I can tell you that. It's difficult because as a competitor you try not to show all your emotions on the field to give an advantage (to the opponent)”, admits Texan guardauthor of 21 points, 6 assists and 4 rebounds.
Celtics who obviously know “Uncle Drew” very well, who spent two years with Boston between 2017 and 2019. When you go up against the best of the best, they use everything to their advantage. I think they were able to do it. That's why I said they had my number or they knew my game very well », Continues Kyrie Irving.
The latter explains that he was able to take a step back, talk a little more with his teammates about what the “ pressure » current events.
“ It's not just me against the Celtics »
“ Not just losing to a team, but going against a team and knowing that they're doing everything they can to stop you. But it's a team game, so I really have to rely on my teammates », Judges the one who took two matches to really get into his final.
In addition to Luka Doncic, his teammates responded well, showing collective support that he believed was up to par. “ It's not just me against the Celtics or Luka against the Celtics or anyone against the media, it's us against the world, so to speak, against this good Celtics team. »
And Boston fans who will never hesitate to criticize their former star, after the many stormy episodes that followed his departure. “ When we go to Boston, there will be a lot of people shouting a bunch of crazy things, but I think we were able to grow and face adversity “, he assures.
According to him, the Mavs have only grown from it: “ We are discovering each other in a crazy way at the highest level of basketball. It's beautiful, but it can also be chaotic if you don't know how to stay balanced. » All that would be missing is a victory in Boston to get closer to this balance…
| Kyrie Irving | Percentage | Rebounds | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Team | MJ | Min | Shots | 3pts | L.F. | Off | Def | Early | Pd | Party | Int | Bp | Ct | Pts |
| 2011-12 | KEY | 51 | 31 | 46.9 | 39.9 | 87.2 | 0.9 | 2.9 | 3.8 | 5.4 | 2.2 | 1.1 | 3.1 | 0.4 | 18.5 |
| 2012-13 | KEY | 59 | 35 | 45.2 | 39.1 | 85.5 | 0.6 | 3.1 | 3.7 | 5.9 | 2.5 | 1.5 | 3.2 | 0.4 | 22.5 |
| 2013-14 | KEY | 71 | 35 | 43.0 | 35.8 | 86.1 | 0.7 | 2.9 | 3.7 | 6.1 | 2.3 | 1.5 | 2.7 | 0.3 | 20.8 |
| 2014-15 | KEY | 75 | 36 | 46.8 | 41.5 | 86.3 | 0.7 | 2.4 | 3.2 | 5.2 | 2.0 | 1.5 | 2.5 | 0.3 | 21.7 |
| 2015-16 | KEY | 53 | 32 | 44.8 | 32.2 | 88.5 | 0.8 | 2.1 | 3.0 | 4.7 | 2.0 | 1.1 | 2.3 | 0.3 | 19.6 |
| 2016-17 | KEY | 72 | 35 | 47.3 | 40.1 | 90.5 | 0.7 | 2.5 | 3.2 | 5.8 | 2.2 | 1.2 | 2.5 | 0.3 | 25.2 |
| 2017-18 | BOS | 60 | 32 | 49.1 | 40.8 | 88.9 | 0.6 | 3.2 | 3.8 | 5.1 | 2.0 | 1.1 | 2.3 | 0.3 | 24.4 |
| 2018-19 | BOS | 67 | 33 | 48.7 | 40.1 | 87.3 | 1.1 | 3.9 | 5.0 | 6.9 | 2.5 | 1.5 | 2.6 | 0.5 | 23.8 |
| 2019-20 | BRK | 20 | 33 | 47.8 | 39.4 | 92.2 | 1.1 | 4.1 | 5.2 | 6.4 | 2.7 | 1.4 | 2.6 | 0.5 | 27.4 |
| 2020-21 | BRK | 54 | 35 | 50.6 | 40.2 | 92.2 | 1.0 | 3.8 | 4.8 | 6.0 | 2.6 | 1.4 | 2.4 | 0.7 | 26.9 |
| 2021-22 | BRK | 29 | 38 | 46.9 | 41.8 | 91.5 | 0.6 | 3.8 | 4.4 | 5.8 | 2.8 | 1.4 | 2.5 | 0.6 | 27.5 |
| 2022-23 * | All Teams | 60 | 37 | 49.4 | 37.9 | 90.5 | 1.0 | 4.1 | 5.1 | 5.5 | 2.8 | 1.1 | 2.1 | 0.8 | 27.1 |
| 2022-23 * | BRK | 40 | 37 | 48.6 | 37.4 | 88.3 | 1.0 | 4.2 | 5.1 | 5.3 | 2.7 | 1.0 | 2.3 | 0.8 | 27.1 |
| 2022-23 * | DAL | 20 | 38 | 51.0 | 39.2 | 94.7 | 1.1 | 4.0 | 5.0 | 6.0 | 2.8 | 1.3 | 1.9 | 0.6 | 27.0 |
| 2023-24 | DAL | 58 | 35 | 49.7 | 41.1 | 90.5 | 0.8 | 4.2 | 5.0 | 5.2 | 1.9 | 1.3 | 1.8 | 0.5 | 25.6 |
| Total | 729 | 34 | 47.4 | 39.3 | 88.6 | 0.8 | 3.2 | 4.0 | 5.7 | 2.3 | 1.3 | 2.5 | 0.4 | 23.6 | |
How to read the stats? MJ = matches played; Min = Minutes; Shots = Successful shots / Attempted shots; 3pts = 3-points / 3-points attempted; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; Off = offensive rebound; Def=defensive rebound; Tot = Total rebounds; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal fouls; Int = Intercepts; Bp = Lost balls; Ct: Against; Pts = Points.
