Kyrie Irving scores 28 of his 30 points in the 2nd half – including 15 in the 4th quarter – and improves his record in closeout games to 13-0.
DALLAS – Kyrie Irving danced and crossed, then shook PJ Tucker wobbly for the space to splash a fadeaway 3 that left LeBron James emoji-nal and the Clippers steeled for the inevitable.
Dallas made the impossible look routine often in advancing to its second conference semifinals in three seasons Friday by way of a 114-101 thumping of the LA Clippers in Game 6.
When Irving hit that backbreaking 3 and ensuing free throw to complete a 4-point play, 5:38 remained on the clock. Yet clearly the Clippers held nothing more in the tank eyeing a 24-point deficit without their best player in uniform.
“Before, it was just Luka [Doncic],” said Clippers coach Tyronn Lue. “Now he has Kyrie.”
Irving scored a game-high 30 points, while Doncic chipped in 28.
Here are five takeaways from the clincher:
1. Closeout Kyrie
Irving now owns a career record of 13-0 in closeout games, and he averages 23.2 points in those outings. You see the eye-popping offensive artistry on display night after night. But Irving’s hustle plays in these big games certainly play a role in the flawless record, too.
Irving scored just two points in the first half on 1-of-6 shooting with five rebounds, two assists and a steal.
The 32-year old scored 28 of his 30 points in the second half as Dallas busted a 52-52 tie at intermission by outscoring the Clippers 35-20 in the third quarter. Irving racked up 13 in the quarter on 5-for-6 shooting before dropping in 15 in the final frame (5-7 FGs).
Irving obliterated the Clippers in the second halves of games this series, averaging 20.0 points on 59.7% from the field and 52.9% from 3-point range with 1.5 steals.
Irving and Doncic combined for 58 points on 44.4% shooting in Game 6.
Doncic scored 18 of his 28 points in the first half and contributed 13 dimes.
Game 6 marked Doncic’s ninth career postseason outing with 25 points or more and 10-plus assists, which ranks as the sixth-most among active players.
2. The 3 bigs in Big D
The Mavs found offensive rhythm around Luka early and Kyrie late, but trade pickups Daniel Gafford and P.J. Washington have been key.
The conference semifinals bring about a formidable opponent in Oklahoma City’s Chet Holmgren. But he’ll end up facing at certain points three Mavericks big men that are playing major roles in the team’s recent success.
Daniel Gafford, PJ Washington and rookie Dereck Lively II combined in Game 6 for 37 points and 20 rebounds for a team that finished plus-2 on the offensive glass and plus-five on second-chance points.
Dallas gobbled up 10 of its 18 offensive rebounds in the first quarter alone.
The athleticism of the Mavericks trio gives the penetrating Doncic and Irving options for lobs on the offensive end. Defensively, the group provides versatility, even out on the perimeter, where Jones is rangy enough to routinely block 3s.
3. Lue tweaks starting lineup
Despite admitting to considering changing LA’s starting lineup, Lue played coy when asked specifics 90 minutes before Game 6.
“I don’t remember,” the coach said when questioned about who would start.
Perhaps he doesn’t want to anymore with LA’s 2023-24 campaign now resting in the books. Lue swapped Amir Coffey, who had been starting in place of injured Kawhi Leonard, for veteran journeyman Tucker in what appeared to be an attempt to crank up on-ball physicality against Doncic.
Tucker spent time early guarding the 25-year old, who shot 4-for-11 in the opening quarter. Tucker, 38, received assistance on the assignment, in the form of LA sending double teams at Doncic and showing multiple looks.
They worked to a degree. Minimally.
But it’s tough to capitalize fully shooting 38.9% in the first quarter.
Without Tucker on the floor in the second frame, the Clippers limited the Mavs to 18 points on 6-for-16 shooting and 16.7% from the 3-point line. LA scored 10 points off six Dallas turnovers and entered intermission with the game knotted at 52 despite trailing by 13 halfway through the quarter.
By the end of the third, Tucker owned a game-worst plus-minus of minus-21 that improved to minus-14.
4. Leonard unavailable to save LA this time
Mavericks 'snatch Clippers heart', leave LA searching for new direction.
The Clippers certainly could’ve benefitted from a healthy Leonard on the floor in this one.
The Clippers officially ruled out him on Friday morning, eliminating any shot for a repeat of the 2021 opening-round series between these teams.
Back then, Leonard dropped a monster 45-point performance in Game 6 on the road to ensure LA would escape elimination against the Mavs.
Game 6 on Friday marked Leonard’s third consecutive absence this series.
The two-time Finals MVP sat out of Game 1 and returned in Game 2, before playing limited minutes in Game 3. Clippers president of basketball operations Lawrence Frank announced Sunday the team’s decision to shut down the star wing due to right knee inflammation.
Leonard averaged a team-high 23.7 points in the regular season while serving as the Clippers best defender. When the 32-year old last played in Game 3, it was clear we were watching a shell of the two-time Defensive Player of the Year.
Leonard wanted to continue playing, even if it meant taking on the role of decoy.
But the team insisted Leonard sit out until he demonstrated the mobility he possessed before this latest episode with inflammation.
Leonard has played in just four of LA’s last 20 playoff games.
5. The James Harden effect
Harden followed up a Game 5 stinker with another in the face of elimination. But give Dallas’ defense credit for sinking the former MVP in two straight contests after he dragged the Mavs to floater school in Game 4.
Harden logged his postseason assist No. 1,049 in the first half to surpass Scottie Pippen for 10th on the NBA’s all-time playoff helpers list.
The positives for Harden ended there.
With Leonard out and the season on the line, LA needed Harden and Paul George to increase production while finding ways to not only involve but also optimize the supporting cast.
“We understand how they’re trying to play PG and James,” Lue said. “We’ve just got to make quick decisions. We can’t over-penetrate, we can’t over-dribble. We’ve got to make the right play.”
The Mavs ensured that didn’t happen in Game 6.
Harden averaged 30.5 points on 58.5% from the field and 62.5% from deep in LA’s wins in the series. In the losses, the vet averaged 16.5 points on 36.4% from the floor and 25.8% on 3s.
Paul didn’t fare any better, connecting on 48.7% on FGs in the wins versus 35.7% in the defeats.
The duo combined for 34 points in Game 6, shooting 11-for-34 from the field.
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Michael C. Wright is a senior writer for NBA.com. You can e-mail him here, find his archive here and follow him on X.
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