Kyrie Irving Hits 18,000 Career Points in Mavericks’ Game Against Timberwolves

DALLAS, Texas — Kyrie Irving made NBA history Wednesday night, scoring his 18,000th career point during the Dallas Mavericks‘ home game against the Minnesota Timberwolves. The milestone came at the 7:17 mark of the first quarter, solidifying Irving as the 81st player in league history to achieve the feat.

Irving, a future Hall of Famer, entered the game needing just three points to reach the milestone. He achieved it with a pair of free throws and a short jumper, finishing the first half with eight points. The 32-year-old guard has been a consistent force throughout his 14-year career, averaging 23.6 points, 4.0 rebounds, and 5.6 assists per game.

“With a basket at the 7:17 mark of the opening quarter, Kyrie Irving eclipsed 18,000 career points, becoming the 81st player in NBA history to reach the milestone,” the Mavericks announced during the game. Irving now sits between World B. Free (No. 82) and Dave Bing (No. 80) on the NBA’s all-time scoring list.

Irving’s career has been marked by excellence and versatility. Drafted first overall in 2011 by the Cleveland Cavaliers, he has also played for the Boston Celtics, Brooklyn Nets, and now the Mavericks. He is best known for his role in leading the Cavaliers to the 2016 NBA Championship, where he hit the series-clinching shot against the Golden State Warriors.

This season, Irving has been a key contributor for the Mavericks, averaging 24.2 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 4.8 assists per game. Despite his individual success, the Mavericks have struggled recently, going 3-7 in their last 10 games and holding a 23-20 record, good for seventh place in the Western Conference.

Irving’s milestone comes amid a challenging stretch for the Mavericks, who are missing five rotation players due to injuries. Head coach Jason Kidd emphasized the team’s need to rally around its stars, including Irving and Luka Dončić, as they aim to climb the standings.

Next up, the Mavericks will face the Oklahoma City Thunder on Thursday, where Irving will look to continue his climb up the NBA’s all-time scoring list. With health on his side, he could surpass several legends, including Julius Irving, Tracy McGrady, and former Maverick Mark Aguirre, by the end of the season.