In a thrilling showdown at the American Airlines Center, the Dallas Mavericks secured their ticket to the Western Conference Finals with a nail-biting 117-116 victory over the Oklahoma City Thunder in Game 6 of the semi-final series.
Following the hard-fought win, Mavericks’ star Kyrie Irving couldn’t contain his emotions as he reflected on the team’s journey to this pivotal moment.
“It feels like it has been a long time coming just being back in this position, getting back to the Conference Finals,” Irving expressed with evident emotion.
“I had to make an impromptu speech and I had to do my best not to let some tears come down from my eyes.”
Irving played a crucial role in securing the victory, contributing 22 points, three assists, and two rebounds. This marks his return to the Conference Finals for the first time since the 2017-18 season when he was with the Boston Celtics.
His last triumph in this round dates back to the 2016-17 NBA Championship with the Cleveland Cavaliers.
Having joined the Mavericks midseason in 2022-23, Irving faced initial playoff disappointment. However, after recommitting to the franchise in the offseason, the tide has turned.
The Mavericks finished the regular season with an impressive 50-32 record, securing the No. 5 seed in the competitive Western Conference. They navigated past the Los Angeles team in six games during the first round and replicated their success against the Thunder.
Now, Dallas eagerly anticipates the outcome of the Denver Nuggets-Minnesota Timberwolves series, with Game 7 scheduled for Sunday at 8 p.m. ET. The Mavericks will face the winner in the next stage of their playoff journey, as they aim to clinch the coveted Western Conference title.
