The Maverick guard earns his ninth career All-Star nod
Per several reports, Mavericks guard Kyrie Irving has been named to the NBA Western Conference All-Star team as an injury replacement. Adam Silver made the decision Monday evening after naming Trae Young as the Eastern Conference replacement for Giannis Antetokounmpo. Ironically, Irving will replace his Maverick teammate Anthony Davis, who will miss extended time with an adductor strain.
Irving is averaging 24.1 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 4.8 assists on 47.5/40.7/90.1 percent shooting splits. This will be the ninth All-Star appearance for the 14-year veteran, his third as a reserve. Irving most recently started the All-Star game after being traded to Dallas in 2023. The Mavericks are currently 28-25, in eighth place in the Western Conference after winning two straight against the Celtics and Rockets. Dallas takes on Sacramento in an attempt to climb out of the West’s play-in race. The Mavericks are currently two games back of sixth-place Minnesota.
The All-Star game is following a different format in 2025; Irving will play for “Team Shaq” in a round-robin tournament consisting of teams coached by O’Neal, Charles Barkley, Kenny Smith, and Candace Parker. The teams will play to a score of 40 points with no game clock.
While former Mavericks stars Dirk Nowitzki and Luka Doncic made a habit of modest production in the All-Star game, Irving has historically excelled in the event. For his career, the Mavericks star has averaged 20.1 points, 6.6 rebounds, and 9.9 assists in eight All-Star contests. He was named the game’s MVP in 2014.
The Mavericks, who rostered zero All-Stars after teams were initially finalized, now boast two such players. Despite an ongoing back issue, Irving will head to San Francisco as Dallas’ lone representative. All-Star weekend begins Feb. 14, with the three point contest and dunk contest on Saturday, Feb. 15, and the actual All-Star games for this new tournament format happening on Sunday, Feb. 16.