Kevin Durant Opens Up on Facing Kyrie Irving for the First Time Ahead of Suns vs. Mavs

• Kevin Durant has said the first meeting between him and Kyrie Irving since leaving Brooklyn will be another game
• Durant and Irving left the Brooklyn Nets before the trade deadline
• Bothe joined different teams this time, with Durant singing with the Phoenix Suns while Irving joined the Dallas Mavericks

Weeks after leaving the Brooklyn Nets, Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving are set to face each other for the first time on Sunday afternoon.

Durant was traded to the Phoenix Suns, while Irving was dealt to the Dallas Mavericks. Irving has played a few games for the Mavericks, but Durant's debut was delayed due to injury.

Durant and Irving signed with the Brooklyn Nets in 2019 but only played 74 games together, failing to meet the hefty expectations. James Harden joined the two in Brooklyn but was the first to exit.

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The two-time NBA champion played his second game since sustaining an MCL injury. He finished with 20 points against Chicago Bulls on Friday. The Suns are now 2-0 with Durant, per AZ Central.

Durant on facing Irving

Durant said the Suns have everything to win the NBA title this season. He joined forces with Devin Booker and veteran point guard Chris Paul.

He said their game was just another game, per ESPN.

"Just another game," Durant said "I understand the entertainment aspect and a lot of people on the outside got the game circled on their calendar, but for both teams, just regularly scheduled programming. Getting back to work and seeing how you can get better as a unit."

The Suns are also looking to beat the team that sent them home in last year's playoffs. The suns are 4th in the Western Conference with a 35-29 record, while the Mavericks are 6th with a 33-31 record.

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Irving on facing Durant

Sports Brief earlier reported on Irving sending a friendly warning to Durant ahead of their meeting.

Irving's spell with the Mavericks started well but went downhill for a few games. However, Irving and Luka Doncic delivered their first big win together, an important 133-126 win over the Philadelphia 76ers. Irving dropped 40 points

"Playing against the new-look Suns with KD may be an exciting time just for us to compete against each other,” Kyrie said. “That’s my brother for life, but when we’re stepping out there, I’m looking forward to the competition. Friendly competition.”