Kyrie Irving’s Big Second Half Leads Mavericks Past Hawks 129
Kyrie Irving had 27 of his game-high 30 points in the second half to lead the Dallas Mavericks to a 129-115 win over the Atlanta Hawks on Friday night.
Irving made 11 of 21 shots from the field, including 5 of 11 from three-point range, and added seven assists and five rebounds.
Luka Doncic added 24 points, eight rebounds and seven assists for the Mavericks, who have won two straight games since trading for Irving.
Trae Young led the Hawks with 26 points and nine assists, but he also had eight turnovers.
Dejounte Murray added 23 points for the Hawks, who have lost three straight games.
What Happened? The Key Details You Need to Know
The Mavericks led by just four points at halftime, but they opened the third quarter on a 12-2 run to take a 12-point lead.
Irving was the catalyst for the run, scoring eight points in the first four minutes of the third quarter.
The Hawks cut the lead to five points with two minutes left in the third quarter, but Irving answered with a three-pointer to give the Mavericks some breathing room.
The Mavericks put the game away in the fourth quarter, as Irving and Doncic combined to score 16 points in the final period.
Why Does This Matter? The Bigger Picture
The Mavericks are now 3-1 with Irving in the lineup, and they are starting to look like a team that can contend for a championship.
Irving is averaging 27.5 points per game since joining the Mavericks, and he is providing much-needed scoring punch alongside Doncic.
The Hawks, on the other hand, are now 2-4 in their last six games, and they are in danger of falling out of the playoff race.
Young is still playing at a high level, but he needs more help from his teammates if the Hawks are going to make a run in the playoffs.
Voices from the Scene – What Are People Saying?
“Kyrie was huge for us tonight,” Mavericks coach Jason Kidd said. “He came out in the second half and really took over the game.”
"I'm just trying to be aggressive and make plays for my teammates," Irving said. "I'm still trying to get my rhythm back, but I'm feeling more comfortable every game."
"We're still trying to figure things out, but we're making progress," Hawks coach Nate McMillan said. "We just have to be more consistent, especially on the defensive end."
What’s Next? Future Implications and Takeaways
The Mavericks will host the New Orleans Pelicans on Sunday night, while the Hawks will travel to face the Indiana Pacers on Monday night.
The Mavericks are now in sixth place in the Western Conference, while the Hawks are in ninth place in the Eastern Conference.
Both teams are still in the playoff race, but they will need to continue to play well in order to secure a spot in the postseason.
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Kyrie Irving’S Big Second Half Leads Mavericks Past Hawks 129