"A bit of an adjustment": Kyrie Irving indirectly blames Kawhi Leonard's absence for Game 1 loss
Kyrie Irving and the Dallas Mavericks fell 109-97 to the Kawhi Leonard-less LA Clippers in Game 1 of their first-round playoff series on Sunday. Afterward, Irving hinted that the two-time NBA champion's absence may be partially to blame for his team's letdown.
Despite being favored entering the contest, the Mavericks never led, falling behind by 26 points (56-30) at halftime after an eight-point second quarter. Their 30-point first half marked their lowest-scoring playoff half in franchise history.
The Clippers later extended their advantage to as high as 29 points in the third quarter. Dallas then mounted a brief comeback, outscoring LA 67-53 in the second half. However, it never came closer than within 10 points en route to its 12-point defeat.
While Irving and co-star Luka Doncic combined for 64 points, no other Maverick tallied more than 11 points, as only three finished in double figures.
Meanwhile, the Clippers had a more well-balanced offensive attack with five double-digit scorers, including three with 20-plus points. Star guard James Harden led the way with 28 points, eight assists and six 3-pointers on 47.1% shooting in his LA playoff debut.
Clippers big man Ivica Zubac also recorded a playoff-career-high 20 points and 15 rebounds on 58.8% shooting. His and Harden's strong play helped LA pick up the slack without Leonard, who was ruled out due to right knee inflammation.
According to Irving, the Mavericks didn't adequately adjust to the Clippers' game plan sans Leonard.
"It is a psychological game. We're playing chess, we're playing a high-level combative game, competitive game," Irving said.
"So, when someone like Kawhi, who has a huge presence for their team, does a lot offensively and defensively, isn't playing, there is a bit of an adjustment period mentally that you gotta get ready because that means that other guys have to step up. And we saw that tonight."
On Sunday, Clippers coach Ty Lue told reporters that Leonard, who last played on March 31, still hasn’t participated in contact drills.
So, the Mavericks will likely have to prepare for the possibility of the oft-injured 32-year-old missing more time.
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Kyrie Irving on individual adjustments he can make in Game 2 against Clippers
During Sunday's postgame interview, Kyrie Irving also touched on the storyline of him facing off against his former coach Ty Lue.
Irving and Lue famously won the 2016 NBA title with the Cleveland Cavaliers, making the Clippers coach very familiar with his game. According to Irving, Lue has been giving LA in-game tips on how to stop him. So, the eight-time All-Star plans to adjust to the Clippers' defensive strategies in Game 2.
"Me going against him as a player is a little bit different," Irving said. "I can see that he's giving them little cues and I'm trying to catch every little detail so I can carry it on to Game 2 and make some adjustments myself."
Game 2 takes place on Tuesday in LA. So, Kyrie Irving and the Mavericks only have one day off to make the necessary adjustments to knot their series up at 1-1 heading to Dallas.
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