Kyrie Irving credits 'protection' and growth for NBA Finals return
- Kyrie Irving attributes his recent success and return to the NBA Finals to personal growth and 'protection' from Dallas Mavericks teammates.
- Irving was heard mocking the Minnesota Timberwolves before a game, indicating his confidence during the Western Conference Finals.
- After years of playoff struggles and distractions, Irving's turnaround has been highlighted by his contributions to the Mavericks' success.
In a basketball game, Irving and Luka Doncic each scored 36 points to help the Dallas Mavericks beat the Minnesota Timberwolves 124-103. This win sent the Mavericks to the finals for the second time ever. They will play against the Boston Celtics in the next game. Irving, who is 32 years old and in his 13th season, is back on the big stage after a long time. He talked about the importance of teamwork and being selfless. Irving faced criticism in the past for not getting vaccinated and sharing controversial videos, but he learned to ignore the negativity and focus on his growth. The death of his friend Kobe Bryant also had a big impact on him. Doncic, Irving's teammate, mentioned how Irving has helped him grow and see the game differently. In a previous game, Irving was heard making fun of the Timberwolves, calling the game their "Super Bowl." However, the Timberwolves won that game, showing their determination. Irving and Doncic couldn't secure a win for the Mavericks, with Irving losing a close-out game for the first time in his career. Doncic had a good performance but it wasn't enough. The Timberwolves took the lead and never looked back, thanks to the efforts of players like Anthony Edwards and Karl-Anthony Towns. Towns' 3-pointer sealed the victory for the Timberwolves.