Kyrie Irving recently shared his thoughts on the intensifying rivalry between the Dallas Mavericks and the Oklahoma City Thunder, calling it “personal” and referring to it as the start of a “healthy rivalry.” He highlighted that the Thunder, who finished last season as the top seed in the Western Conference, deserved to face the Mavericks in the second round, but it was Dallas who came out on top in that series. Irving acknowledged the physical nature of the game, stating that it’s a natural part of the competition in the NBA, with pushing and shoving being common in such high-stakes matchups.
In their latest encounter, the Mavericks secured a 106-98 victory, with Irving making a strong return from a back injury, contributing 25 points, five rebounds, and five assists. Despite missing Luka Dončić, who was sidelined due to a calf strain, the Mavericks pulled off an important win. Irving’s remarks underscored the increasing competitiveness between the two teams, with the rivalry now becoming one to watch as both sides continue to push each other.
