Kyrie Irving emphasized the growing rivalry between the Mavericks and Thunder, describing it as personal and setting the tone for future competitive matchups.
The Dallas Mavericks edged out the Oklahoma City Thunder 106-98 on Friday night, marking a victory that felt more significant than just another regular-season game.
Kyrie Irving, returning after a one-game absence due to a back sprain, delivered a strong performance with 25 points, five rebounds, and five assists.
The tension on the court was palpable, with exchanges of words adding fuel to what Irving believes is a budding rivalry.
"It's personal, It's the start of a healthy rivalry... They're good, man. They were number one in the Western Conference last year. They deserved to make it to the second round and match up against us, we just got the best of them in that series," Irving noted.
Irving acknowledged the Thunder's potential and pointed out the impact of missing star guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.
"There's a lot of young guys in that locker room, so we're gonna be seeing them a lot over the next few years. It's good that you set the precedent now of what it's gonna be like. They're a little bit of a different team without Shai obviously... But they still compete," Irving concluded.
As the Mavericks and Thunder prepare to clash in the seasons ahead, the rivalry is already taking shape, driven by respect, competition, and personal stakes.
