Kyrie Irving Felt Staying Healthy, Leading Dallas Mavs to Wins Was a 'Matter of Time'

DALLAS — Since returning from a right thumb sprain on February 5 while the Dallas Mavericks began a three-game East Coast road trip in Philadelphia, Kyrie Irving has played 28 consecutive games. He's averaged 25.6 points, 5.0 assists, and 4.8 rebounds in this span, shooting 51.5% from the floor, 41.1% from deep, and 93.2% on free throws. The Mavs have gone 21-7 during this stretch.

The latest performance of Irving's season featured him helping guide the Mavs to a 108-106 victory over the Golden State Warriors on the second night of a back-to-back despite Luka Doncic being sidelined due to injury. Irving finished with 26 points, eight rebounds, and seven assists on the night.

Irving recently played his most consecutive games since the 2015-16 season. He described his current physical state as being in his prime. Playing in these games has benefited him in many ways, and he's managed to push through pain to make it happen.

"It's just my job, man. I'm 32, but I'm not about to just say, like, 'I feel old' up here, man. I feel like I'm at a good place in my prime," Irving said. "I feel like these games over the last month or two months have got me better mentally, physically, emotionally, spiritually, and been able to push past a lot of pain and uncomfortability."

Irving was asked to describe what has helped him play in more games consecutive lately compared to perhaps five years ago. He explained a difference in his approach in the past would have been to use more caution, but he's very confident in the work he's put in physically to remain durable.

"I think five years ago, I would err on the side of resting, and I think that's probably answering your question," Irving said. "Just err on the side of resting if I felt something in my body. But I think at this point in the season, just having a lot of confidence in the work that I put in and a lot of confidence in myself, and I just feel like I'm in a better place mentally and physically than where I was probably five years ago, if that answers your question, you know?"

The Mavs have missed Irving for 22 games this season, with over half (12) of those games occurring due to a teammate landing on him while he was on the floor after a finish attempt in December. He then missed six games due to spraining his thumb in late January. While going through those stretches was likely frustrating, he felt it was just a matter of time before he'd play many games in a row while leading his team to success. Dallas has gone 36-19 when Irving plays while being 32-16 when Doncic is also in the lineup.

"For me mentally, this is kind of like one of those things I have a phrase in my mind — it's just about time," Irving said. "Just getting healthy and being able to put a lot of games together and just showcasing what I've always known to be true is that I impact winning in a positive manner.

"When I'm out there on the floor, I give heart [and] our team has a better chance of winning," Irving continued. "And I'm not saying I could do everything, I just feel like I can go out there and contribute on the offensive end and defensively, just being in the right spots as much as I can be and just continuing to give positive encouragement to my teammates."

"It's easier to do it when you're out there on the floor, as a competitor, you want that," Irving concluded. "So just grateful. All glory to God for keeping me healthy and being able to put a good run together before we get ready for the playoffs."

The Mavs have greatly appreciated Irving's impact on the team, with coach Jason Kidd describing the superstar guard as "off the charts." His offensive versatility, both on and off the ball, his leadership, and his effort on defense all combine for a necessary element.

"He's one of our leaders, on and off the floor. He's been incredible," Kidd said of Irving. "He's delivered in the clutch. He's played off the ball. He's played on the ball. He's competing on the defensive end. As a leader, that's what you need: examples. And that's what he's doing for us right now."

Irving's impact throughout the 2023-24 season has been instrumental in the Mavs managing to rank fifth in the Western Conference standings despite having adverse health situations and roster changes. He's averaged 25.4 points, 5.2 assists, and 4.9 rebounds while peaking at the right time, a goal he set for himself before the season and revealed during training camp.