Kyrie Irving Breaks Silence After Making Dallas Mavericks Debut Against Clippers

• Kyrie Irving has spoken after making his debut for the Dallas Mavericks
• The 2016 NBA champion performed despite only the one practice session
• He scored 24 points on 9-of-17 from the floor and 4-of-8 from 3-point range

Kyrie Irving is settling in at the Dallas Mavericks, days after his blockbuster trade from the Brooklyn Nets.

The 30-year-old debuted against the LA Clippers, scoring 24 points and dishing out five assists to help the Mavs beat the Clippers 110-104.

The eight-time All-Star asked to be traded from the Nets last Friday and on Sunday, the team agreed to move him to the Mavericks. The Mavs won the race, beating the Lakers and the Clippers who were aggressively pursuing his signature.

Nets fans heavily criticised the 2016 NBA champion for asking for the trade, considering he was having a great season in Brooklyn. However, the former Boston Celtics star said he felt disrespected by the Nets.

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Irving is averaging 27 points per game and was recently named to the 2023 NBA All-Star Game as a starter.

Irving reacts to Mavericks debut

The ex-Cleveland Cavaliers guard played nearly 37 minutes but was impressive, considering he only had one practice session with his new team. He scored 24 points on 9-of-17 shooting from the field and 4-of-8 from deep.

The team was missing NBA points per game leader and MVP contender, Luka Doncic who is nursing an injury.

Irving said he wants to do whatever the team requires him to and said it was stressed during team talks that the ball need not be forced to him.

"We talked about that as a squad where we just want to play natural basketball. You don't always have to come to me. I can play off the ball, I can cut. So they're just getting used to playing with me and just seeing how many open shots I can create for them and the double-teams that are coming," he said via ESPN.

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Doncic may return to the team in their upcoming back-to-back against the Sacramento Kings and it is exciting to see how he will play alongside Irving.

James on Lakers missing Irving

The Lakers pursued Irving before he was traded to Dallas. Lakers star, LeBron James - who played three seasons with Irving in Cleveland - said he was disappointed they couldn't land his former teammate.

The 2020 NBA champions reportedly offered Russell Westbrook and their 2027 and 2029 first-round draft picks. Nets owner, Joe Tsai reportedly decided against making the major trade deal.

Jacque Vaughn's message to Irving

Sports Brief earlier reported on Nets coach, Jacque Vaughn sending a message to Irving, after he completed his move away from Brooklyn.

The coach sent a cheeky dig at the Mavs new star, saying all players are responsible for showing up for work.

After the deal was completed however, he sang praises for the NBA All-Star, wishing him well in Dallas.