Kyrie Irving Makes Luka Doncic Statement After Nuggets-Mavericks

Dallas Mavericks star Kyrie Irving spoke on Luka Doncic after losing to the Denver Nuggets.
May 11, 2024; Dallas, Texas, USA; Dallas Mavericks guard Luka Doncic (77) celebrates with Dallas Mavericks guard Kyrie Irving (11) during the second half against the Oklahoma City Thunder during game three of the second round for the 2024 NBA playoffs at American Airlines Center.
May 11, 2024; Dallas, Texas, USA; Dallas Mavericks guard Luka Doncic (77) celebrates with Dallas Mavericks guard Kyrie Irving (11) during the second half against the Oklahoma City Thunder during game three of the second round for the 2024 NBA playoffs at American Airlines Center. / Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images

The Denver Nuggets defeated the Dallas Mavericks on Sunday and Tuesday, sweeping the two-game mini series with their Western Conference rivals. Denver has now won four-straight games, and sits just a half-game behind the third seed Memphis Grizzlies.

Both wins over Dallas came without Luka Doncic, as the Mavericks star has been sidelined with a calf injury since Christmas. That said, Dallas did welcome Kyrie Irving back to the lineup on Tuesday night, as the 2016 NBA champion finished with 11 points in 30 minutes. 

Irving had missed the previous five games, and looked understandably rusty in his return to action.

Russell Westbrook and Kyrie Irving
Jan 14, 2025; Dallas, Texas, USA; Denver Nuggets guard Russell Westbrook (4) drives to the basket past Dallas Mavericks guard Kyrie Irving (11) during the second half at the American Airlines Center. / Jerome Miron-Imagn Images

Speaking with reporters after the game, Irving was asked about Doncic.

"Does he ever annoy me? Yeah people get annoying," Irving said. "He’s not the only person that annoys me, I annoy him too. We just spend a lot of time off the court just enjoying each other’s presence."

Irving added, "Our families getting to know each other. We annoy each other when the wine gets going, start telling jokes, and he starts bringing up how he beat me when I was in Brooklyn, and just all the extra memories and stuff like that. Annoying is part of friendship and part of brotherhood, so I’m not mad at it.”

This was an in-depth answer from the Mavericks guard that provides some insight into the relationship between he and Doncic.

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Joey Linn
JOEY LINN

Title: Credentialed writer covering the NBA for Sports Illustrated's FanNation Email: joeylinn52@gmail.com Education: Communication Studies degree from Biola University Location: Los Angeles, California Expertise: NBA analysis and reporting Experience: Joey Linn is a credentialed writer covering the NBA for Sports Illustrated's FanNation. Covering the LA Clippers independently in 2018, then for Fansided and 213Hoops from 2019-2021, Joey joined Sports Illustrated's FanNation to cover the Clippers after the 2020-21 season. Graduating from Biola University in 2022 with a Communication Studies degree, Joey served as Biola's play-by-play announcer for their basketball, baseball, softball, and soccer teams during his time in school. Joey's work on Biola's broadcasts, combined with his excellence in the classroom, earned him the Outstanding Communication Studies Student of the year award in 2022. Joey covers the NBA full-time across multiple platforms, primarily serving as a credentialed Clippers beat writer.