A thrilling moment unfolded on Sunday when Kyrie Irving hit an incredible left-handed floater at the buzzer to secure a 107-105 victory for the Dallas Mavericks over the Denver Nuggets. The game-winning shot by Irving ignited a jubilant celebration at the American Airlines Center.
Denver Nuggets coach Michael Malone graciously acknowledged Irving’s game-winning shot, stating, “Hell of a shot by Kyrie. Give him all the credit.” Malone further expressed his reaction to the shot in an interview via The Denver Post’s Bennett Durando, highlighting the unexpected nature of the shot.
Prior to Irving’s heroic shot, Mavericks star Luka Dončić managed to tie the game with a remarkable deep 3-pointer from a considerable distance. The Mavericks and Nuggets remained neck and neck throughout most of the game, with the lead swapping back and forth. In the fourth quarter, the Mavericks briefly surged ahead before the Nuggets mounted a significant 14-2 run in the final moments to regain the lead temporarily.
The Nuggets’ offensive efforts were led by Jamal Murray, who contributed 23 points and seven assists. Michael Porter Jr. and Nikola Jokic also made notable contributions with 20 points and 16 points respectively. Despite the loss, the Nuggets maintained an impressive 47-21 record, having previously secured victories in five consecutive games.
Conversely, the Mavericks relied heavily on Dončić’s stellar performance, as he recorded 37 points, nine rebounds, and three assists. Irving also played a pivotal role with 24 points, nine assists, and seven rebounds. Dereck Lively II made a significant impact off the bench with 14 points and eight rebounds.
Following their recent victory, the Mavericks have won five out of their last six games and currently hold a 39-29 record. Their strong performance has positioned them in seventh place in the Western Conference standings, trailing closely behind the Sacramento Kings.