Kevin Durant Makes Honest Kyrie Irving Statement Before Suns-Mavs Game

Kevin Durant spoke about Kyrie Irving before Friday's game.

Dec 28, 2022; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Brooklyn Nets forward Kevin Durant (7) and guard Kyrie Irving (11) celebrate after a victory against the Atlanta Hawks at State Farm Arena. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images / Brett Davis-Imagn Images

On Friday evening, the Phoenix Suns will face off against the Dallas Mavericks in Texas.

Before the game, Kevin Durant spoke about his former teammate Kyrie Irving (h/t Landon Buford).

Durant: "I always thought Kyrie was a master-level player; it's been like that the last 10 years... I just think he's a complete player; I feel like there's no weaknesses or no holes in his game, physically or mentally. I feel like his approach to the game is just perfect."

Kevin Durant on where he thinks @KyrieIrving improved on the court:

“I always thought Kyrie was a master level player, it’s been like that the last ten years,” says Durant.

“I feel like he probably will never say this because he’s such a humble player, humble person, I just… pic.twitter.com/BzY7B7XvbQ

— Landon Buford (@LandonBuford) November 8, 2024

Durant and Irving were teammates for part of four seasons on the Brooklyn Nets.

However, the team was unable to make a deep playoff run, and both players were traded during the middle of the 2023 season.

Oct 26, 2024; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Dallas Mavericks guard Kyrie Irving (11) against Phoenix Suns forward Kevin Durant (35) at Footprint Center. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images / Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

Durant comes into the night with averages of 27.8 points, 6.8 rebounds, 3.4 assists and 1.4 blocks per contest while shooting 55.1% from the field and 42.0% from the three-point range in eight games.

The Suns are also the first seed in the Western Conference with a 7-1 record.

Via Hoop Central: "Kevin Durant this season:

25 PTS - 7 REB - 3 STL
30 PTS - 4 REB - 6 AST
31 PTS - 9 REB - 2 AST
30 PTS - 8 REB - 4 AST
18 PTS - 5 REB - 4 AST
21 PTS - 9 REB - 2 AST
35 PTS - 4 REB - 6 AST
32 PTS - 8 REB - 3 AST"

Kevin Durant this season:

25 PTS - 7 REB - 3 STL
30 PTS - 4 REB - 6 AST
31 PTS - 9 REB - 2 AST
30 PTS - 8 REB - 4 AST
18 PTS - 5 REB - 4 AST
21 PTS - 9 REB - 2 AST
35 PTS - 4 REB - 6 AST
32 PTS - 8 REB - 3 AST

🔥 pic.twitter.com/Wz1LWGIBy8

— Hoop Central (@TheHoopCentral) November 7, 2024

As for Irving, he is averaging 23.0 points, 4.5 rebounds, 4.6 assists and 1.5 steals per contest while shooting 49.6% from the field and 54.5% from the three-point range in eight games.

The Mavs are 5-3 to start the season.