Luka Doncic reacts to Kyrie Irving's Game 2 struggles: "We should talk about his defense, too"

The Dallas Mavericks beat the Oklahoma City Thunder, 119-110, to tie the series at one apiece. Still, the biggest story from Game 2 was Kyrie Irving having his lowest-scoring performance of the season on a night when the Mavs needed him the most.

After the game, Luka Doncic defended the star guard, saying that scoring isn't the only way Kai has contributed to the team this postseason.

"He can do everything on the floor. We should talk about his defense too. He's been playing amazing defense this whole playoff," Doncic told reporters. "I know a lot of guys don't wanna talk about it, but he's been amazing on both sides, helping everybody. Like I always say, it's amazing to have him on our team and to learn from him."

A masterclass in doing anything to win

Irving shot just 2-8 from the field and had nine points, his lowest scoring output of the entire 2023-24 season. It's the only time he has failed to score in double digits this campaign.

However, Kyrie also had three rebounds, two steals, and two blocks in 41 minutes of playing time while tying his playoff career high with 11 assists. Despite his paltry scoring output, Irving was a +9 for his team, tied with P.J. Washington for the best among the Dallas starters.

With more assists than shot attempts, Kyrie showed that he no longer cares about the stats. He just wants to win, and he will do anything to come out victorious. In Game 2, he delivered a masterclass in doing the little winning things on both sides of the court.

Kyrie's Impact on the Mavericks

Luka giving credit to Kyrie after Game 2 is just another proof that Irving impacts the Mavs both on and off the court. Former Golden State Warriors head coach Mark Jackson recently talked about Kai not getting enough credit for what he's doing in Dallas .

"I like the state where Kyrie is in right now," said Jackson. "And I like that he's willing to do whatever it takes to put this team in a position to win. Whether that's offensively or defensively, hit the floor—the first to hit the floor—loose ball, he's diving for that loose ball, he's taking that challenge from the opposing team's best perimeter player. That type of energy and effort is contagious throughout the locker room."

With Kyrie setting the tone and becoming a big difference-maker for his team, the Mavs have now stolen home-court advantage from the top-seeded Thunder. With Games 3 and 4 to be played on their home floor, they are in a great position to advance to the Western Conference Finals.

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