Sixers Veteran Reacts to Kyrie Irving’s Game-Winner vs. Nuggets

Philadelphia 76ers' Nic Batum posted about Kyrie Irving's big play.
Sixers Veteran Reacts to Kyrie Irving’s Game-Winner vs. Nuggets
Sixers Veteran Reacts to Kyrie Irving’s Game-Winner vs. Nuggets /

On Saturday night, Nic Batum and the Philadelphia 76ers collected a win over the Charlotte Hornets. Being in a two-game slump, the Sixers needed to make sure they took care of business against a struggling Charlotte team.

Batum collected a start in the absence of Tobias Harris. In 37 minutes of action, the veteran produced eight points and four assists on the offensive end, while getting eight rebounds, three steals, and two blocks on the defensive end.

After wrapping up an 11-point victory over the Hornets, the Sixers returned to practice on Sunday morning. Batum made it home in time to check in on Sunday’s most exciting game, which involved the Denver Nuggets and the Dallas Mavericks.

In a game that went down to the wire, the Mavericks had a final two-second opportunity to generate points in order to avoid going into overtime. When it comes to Dallas, the ball is expected to reach the hands of either Luka Doncic or Kyrie Irving in that situation.

On Sunday, the latter player was given the opportunity to put his team out in front.

Getting just enough separation to receive the inbound pass, Irving let off a final shot before the clock ran out. It was a deep floater, released just early enough to avoid any questions about whether or not he got it out in time. 

The shot was successful and sent social media into a frenzy. Batum took to X to react to the sequence.

The Mavericks would finish the afternoon matchup with a 107-105 victory. That win helped them advance to 39-29 on the year, which is helpful for them in the Western Conference playoff race.

Irving finished the game with 24 points, seven rebounds, and nine assists in 40 minutes of action. Doncic held it down as well, scoring 37 points in 40 minutes.

After getting a chance to check out the Sunday slate, Batum and the Sixers are set to return to the court on Monday night to face the Miami Heat. Similar to the Mavs, the Sixers need every win they can get as they remain in the playoff hunt. 

Sitting at 37-30, the Sixers are eighth in the Eastern Conference. They face the seventh-seeded Miami Heat, who hold the same record but possess the tie-breaker. 


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Justin Grasso
JUSTIN GRASSO

Title: Credentialed writer/reporter covering the Philadelphia 76ers for Sports Illustrated’s FanNation Email: JustinGrasso32@Gmail.com Location: Philadelphia, PA Expertise: Reporting, insight, and analysis on the Sixers and the NBA  Justin Grasso is a credentialed writer and publisher covering the Philadelphia 76ers for Sports Illustrated’s FanNation.  Grasso got his start in sports media in 2016 with FantasyPros, working the news desk, providing game-by-game player analysis and updates on the Portland Trail Blazers and the Golden State Warriors. By 2017, he joined FanSided’s Philadelphia Eagles site as a staff writer. After spending one season covering the Eagles as a staff writer, Grasso was promoted to become the site’s Co-Editor. For the next two NFL seasons, he covered the Eagles closely before broadening his NFL coverage. For a brief stint, Grasso covered the NFL on a national basis after joining Heavy.com as an NFL news desk writer. In 2019, Grasso joined the 76ers' beat on a part-time basis, stepping into a role with South Jersey’s 97.3 ESPN. Ahead of the 2019-2020 NBA season, he concluded a three-year stint covering the Eagles and joined the Sixers beat full-time. Grasso has covered the 76ers exclusively since then for Sports Illustrated. He is a member of the Pro Basketball Writer’s Association.  Twitter: @JGrasso_ Instagram: @JGrassoNBA