What happened: Kyrie Irving revisited his decisive shot from Game 7 of the 2016 NBA Finals, stating he aimed to prove detractors wrong and validate his own belief. The reflection comes ahead of his first visit to Cleveland of the 2026-27 season.
Why it matters: The 2016 championship remains a landmark milestone in Cleveland basketball history, with Irving's tiebreaking 3-pointer securing the franchise's first title. His return to the city highlights his ongoing campaign after missing the entire 2025-26 season.
By the numbers: Irving has recorded 21.6 points per game and 3.2 rebounds per game and 4.3 assists per game in 2026-27 through 10 games.
What to watch: Irving visits Cleveland on Saturday at 7:30 p.m. ET.