NBA star Kyrie Irving admitted the implosion of the Dallas Mavericks since his arrival via trade has been ‘emotionally draining’ after the franchise suffered another defeat to leave their playoff hopes hanging by a thread.
Back in February, Irving dropped the bombshell that he wanted to be traded from the Brooklyn Nets before the trade deadline, and the Mavericks completed a blockbuster move to pair him with superstar and MVP contender Luka Doncic. However, the move has failed to live up to its billing as Dallas have slipped out of the Play-Off spots.
On Sunday, the Mavs fell to their third successive loss in a 132-130 overtime defeat to the Atlanta Hawks, leaving the team with just one win in their last eight games. The result - and torrid stretch of form - means Irving and co. sit 11th in the Western Conference with a 37-42 record.
Dallas are one spot outside the final NBA Play-In tournament place occupied by the 38-41 Oklahoma City Thunder (38-41), who fell to the Phoenix Suns on Sunday to keep the Mavs in contention. Since trading for Irving, Dallas are 7-12 and the eight-time All-Star admitted the struggles have been ‘emotionally draining’.
“We've just been losing tough ones, emotionally draining, but at the same time we're professionals,” Irving told reporters after the loss to Atlanta. “I think the fun part of it is we still have a glimmer of hope, a glimmer of light at the end of the tunnel of where we can still sneak in.
“But at the same time, I’m at peace with just our effort, with spurts throughout the games. We’ve just got to be able to finish better as a team.”
Irving starred against the Hawks, scoring 41 points in the game while Doncic added 22. Irving appeared to steal the ball from guard Trae Young with the game tied in the final seconds of overtime but the referees called a foul - and Young hit both free throws to win the match.
“I know those refs will look back on it and won't be too happy with that call,” Irving added. “But it could’ve gone either way. I thought I was great position but that foul cost us game practically.”
Young heaped praise on the duo of Doncic and Irving despite the Mavericks’ struggles, saying: “Tonight we just playing against two guys who can really beat a team by themselves if they get going. I think we did a good job of sticking to Luka and making it tough on those guys. Ky hit some tough, tough shots. I mean, that’s just what he does. But we didn’t hang our heads or anything like that. We just kept playing, I think that’s why we won.”
The Mavericks face the high-flying Sacramento Kings in their next contest, who posses a 47-31 record to sit third in the west. Dallas close out their season with must-win clashes against the Chicago Bulls and San Antonio Spurs.
