‘Mr. Fourth Quarter’: Kyrie Irving Guides Luka-Less Mavericks to Another Win, This Time Over Jazz
Kyrie Irving, dubbed ‘Mr. Fourth Quarter,’ continues to guide the Mavericks to success without Luka Dončić, securing their latest win over the Jazz.
SALT LAKE CITY — Kyrie Irving showcased his brilliance again, delivering 30 points and 9 assists to lead the Dallas Mavericks to a 106-94 victory over the Utah Jazz on Saturday night. Without Luka Dončić for the fifth straight game, Irving continued to cement his role as the team leader, demonstrating his ability to elevate his game when necessary to close out a victory.
“When it got close, I knew it was time to lock in,” Irving said. “We’ve learned from earlier games this season where we didn’t finish strong. Tonight, it was all about staying poised.”
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Irving’s Clutch Performance
Irving took control with the Jazz, trimming the Mavericks’ lead to five midway through the fourth quarter. Scoring or assisting on nearly every Mavericks basket in the final stretch, he silenced the Delta Center crowd with highly efficient three-pointers and decisive passes.
P.J. Washington, who contributed 16 points and 11 rebounds, marveled at Irving’s performance, saying, “Just him being special. I mean, that’s Kyrie,” Washington said. “He’s our leader, and obviously, he brought us to victory. He’s a great player, and he shows that best in those clutch moments.”
Coming off a 24-point performance that set a new season high, Quentin Grimes echoed Washington’s sentiment about Irving. The superstar guard gives his teammates confidence when they’re on the floor.
“He’s ‘Mr. Fourth Quarter’ for a reason,” Grimes said. “We trust him out there to make every play. If he has to score, he scores. If he needs to find someone, he does that too.”
Shooting Prowess and Offensive Efficiency
Irving’s six made three-pointers, which marked a season-high, contributed to his career-best shooting efficiency from beyond the arc this season. No guard with at least 300 possessions this year has been more productive offensively than Irving, who leads the league at 1.130 points per possession.
“I try not to give too many secrets away,” Irving said when asked about his shooting improvements. “But it’s a testament to the hard work behind the scenes. The priority for me this year has been getting off the ball more, getting my feet set, and playing off my teammates a lot. It’s about being efficient.”
His isolation game has been nearly unstoppable, generating 1.268 points per possession on 100 plays—the best mark in the NBA among players with at least 20 isolations. Irving has also excelled in the pick-and-roll, ranking fourth in the league with 1.111 points per possession, while remaining highly effective as a spot-up shooter, producing 1.302 points per possession.
“He’s shooting the ball really well,” Mavericks head coach Jason Kidd said. “He just has such a great feel for the game—he knows when it’s time for him to score and when it’s time for others.”
Growth in Closing Games
The Mavericks began the season 1-6 in clutch games, but Irving’s leadership has been instrumental in grinding out some victories in close games recently. His focus on accountability and communication has helped Dallas become a team capable of finishing strong in these situations despite not having Dončić.
“Early on, we weren’t very communicative down the stretch,” Irving said. “Some games, we’d go a minute or two without talking much, and that’s just not what we want to be. To be a great team, especially defensively, you’ve got to hold guys accountable, hold yourself accountable, and let others hold you accountable too.”
Grimes credited the team’s unselfish play as another key factor in their success, with Irving being a vital element of this approach.
“Tonight, we played really unselfish basketball,” Grimes said. “Everyone got to touch the ball and see it go in the hoop, so hopefully, we can carry that into the next game for sure.”
Leading in Luka’s Absence
Irving’s ability to step up in Dončić’s absence has been remarkable. Over six games without Dončić this season, Irving has averaged 25.7 points, 6.5 assists, and 5.3 rebounds while maintaining his elite efficiency and poise. Dallas has achieved wins on the road against the Oklahoma City Thunder and Denver Nuggets, with Irving leading the charge in Dončić’s absence, with a 5-1 record without him. Dallas has already surpassed its win total from last season when Dončić in half the games.
“This was a great team effort,” Kidd said. “But Kyrie set the tone. He’s been incredible—calm under pressure and making all the right reads. That’s the Kyrie effect.”
As the Mavericks navigate Dončić’s absence, Irving’s All-Star-worthy performances have carried the team. His ability to dominate in isolation, thrive in the pick-and-roll, and deliver in the clutch makes him one of the NBA’s most impactful players this season.
Looking Ahead
The Mavericks will shift their focus to the second night of a back-to-back against the Portland Trail Blazers, where Dončić’s return remains possible. Regardless of Dončić’s status, Irving’s leadership and playmaking will remain central to Dallas’ success as they aim to build on their recent momentum.
“When Kyrie’s locked in like that, we feel like we can beat anyone,” Washington said.
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