Dallas Mavs' Kyrie Irving Named Western Conference Player of the Week

Mavs superstar Kyrie Irving has been named Western Conference Player of the Week, marking the fifth of his career and the first since the 2014-15 season.

Apr 5, 2024; Dallas, Texas, USA; Dallas Mavericks guard Kyrie Irving (11) celebrates with Dallas / Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports

DALLAS — The NBA announced today that Dallas Mavericks superstar Kyrie Irving was named the Western Conference Player of the Week for games played from Monday, April 1, through Sunday, April 7. It's Irving's fifth Player of the Week honor and his first since 2014-15.

Irving being named Western Conference Player of the Week marks a Mavs player earning this honor for consecutive weeks. With Doncic having earned three recent honors, Dallas has seen a player on its roster named Player of the Week on its team in four of the last seven weeks.

Apr 5, 2024; Dallas, Texas, USA; Dallas Mavericks guard Kyrie Irving (11) celebrates with Dallas / Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports

Irving helped guide the Mavs to a 3-1 record during this span, averaging 31.8 points, 5.3 rebounds, 3.0 assists and 1.5 steals in 40.3 minutes per game. He shot 52.4% from the floor, 40.0% from beyond the arc, and 93.1% on free throws.

Irving finished his week scoring 48 points to help guide the Mavs to a 147-136 overtime victory despite trailing by 22 points — his highest-scoring game since being traded to Dallas. He scored 19 points in the fourth quarter, the most by a Mavs player in the fourth period this season. He scored 25 of his 48 points in the final period and overtime.

Since returning from a right thumb sprain on February 5, Irving has played 29 consecutive games, while the Mavs have gone 22-7. The team has produced a 14-2 in their last 16 games, which has been the best 16-game span since their 2010-11 championship-winning campaign. He averaged 26.3 points, 4.9 assists, and 4.9 rebounds during this span, shooting 51.8% from the floor, 40.9% from beyond the arc, and 92.3% on free throws.

"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."

It's been a strong season for Irving overall, averaging 25.8 points, 5.0 rebounds, and 5.1 assists. He is one of nine players averaging at least 25.0 points, 5.0 rebounds, and 5.0 assists while joining Luka Doncic as the only pair of teammates achieving these figures this season. Other players averaging 25-5-5 include a roster of 2024 NBA All-Stars.

Irving's scoring efficiency this season has approached his goal of a 50-40-90 campaign, shooting 49.6% from the floor, 41.0% from the perimeter, and 90.7% on free throws. After scoring 48 points against the Rockets, he ranks 13th in points per game among the league-leaders while shooting 90.7% on free throws (5th).