Jan 17, 2025; Dallas, Texas, USA; Dallas Mavericks guard Kyrie Irving (11) drives to the basket between Oklahoma City Thunder guard Cason Wallace (22) and guard Luguentz Dort (5) during the first quarter at the American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images
Four technical fouls and three near-brawls later, the Oklahoma City Thunder‘s 106-98 loss to the Dallas Mavericks was the latest example of a lengthy rivalry. Since they matched up in the playoffs last year, the two contenders have shared a mutual hatred for each other.
Even without important pieces like Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Luka Doncic, Chet Holmgren, Isaiah Hartenstein and Dereck Lively II, both teams’ role players simmered the beef between the ball clubs. The usually well-mannered Thunder were hit with multiple technical fouls. PJ Washington continued to poke the bear.
Kyrie Irving — an expert in rivalries — agreed that the Thunder and Mavericks have become arch-nemesis.
“It’s personal. I think it’s the start of a healthy rivalry,” Irving said. “… We’re gonna be seeing them a lot over the next few years so it’s good that you set the precedent now what it’s gonna be like.”
The Thunder might’ve downplayed the bloodbath between the squads, but their actions speak louder than words. Rained with boos by Mavericks fans, Lu Dort had to be stopped from confronting Dallas’ bench after the final buzzer sounded.
“When the pushing and shoving occurs, that’s just good competitive NBA basketball that we feel is only right at this point because we gotta protect ourselves,” Irving said. “Somebody comes into the middle of the circle, starts pushing, you know it’s gonna lead to everybody protecting themselves. It’s good. It’s healthy.”
Even though the Thunder have been the far superior regular-season team, the Mavericks could be their biggest threat in the playoffs. Doncic and Irving are a powerful enough superstar duo to upset OKC again. If they meet in the playoffs, expect the basketball equivalent of warfare.
This article originally appeared on OKC Thunder Wire: Kyrie Irving embraces Thunder-Mavericks rivalry: ‘It’s personal’
