What happened: Kyrie Irving voiced appreciation for Cleveland fans following a warm reception at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse, a decade after helping lead the franchise to the 2016 NBA championship. The guard received a tribute during the trip, expressing gratitude to supporters across Ohio for their continued backing. Cleveland secured a 127-117 victory over Dallas in the contest.
Why it matters: Irving made the decisive shot in Game 7 of the 2016 NBA Finals to secure the first championship in Cavaliers history before his departure in 2017. The win moved Cleveland to 7-7 through 14 games, placing the team sixth in the Eastern Conference. Dallas dropped to 7-6 through 13 games, sitting tenth in the Western Conference.
By the numbers: Irving has recorded 22.7 points, 3.5 rebounds, and 4.4 assists per game in 2026-27 through 11 games. Cleveland stands at 7-7 through 14 games, while Dallas is 7-6 through 13 games.
What to watch: Irving is listed as questionable with left knee injury management ahead of the next contest.