Durant treating first meeting against former teammate Irving like any other game

Sportsnet Staff @SportsnetMarch 05, 2023 - 9:34am

Brooklyn Nets guard Kyrie Irving (11) and Kevin Durant react against the Boston Celtics in the second half of Game 5 during an NBA basketball first-round playoff series, June 1, 2021, in New York. Kevin Durant said Friday, Nov. 4, 2022, the Brooklyn Nets could have handled this tumultuous week a bit differently — a week in which his coach was fired and teammate Kyrie Irving was suspended for posting a link to an antisemitic work. (Adam Hunger/AP, File)

There will be no shortage of storylines when Kevin Durant takes on former teammate Kyrie Irving for the first time since both were traded by the Brooklyn Nets.

Durant and the Suns will travel to Dallas for a matchup against Irving and the Dallas Mavericks on Sunday afternoon, a game that most probably had circled on his calendar except for Durant.

"Just another game," Durant said after the Suns beat the Chicago Bulls on Friday. "I understand the entertainment aspect and a lot of people on the outside got the game circled on their calendar, but for both teams, just regularly scheduled programming. Getting back to work and seeing how you can get better as a unit."

Durant is playing in just his third game with the Suns after making his return to the lineup recently after recovering from an MCL injury. Phoenix is managing the minutes of their star acquisition with Durant playing 26:50 and 30:54 in his first two appearances.

For Durant, the focus for him in this game is to continue to develop chemistry with his new teammates.

"We've played against each other before, competed against each other before," Durant said. "But it's all about the Suns. I'm sure they feel the same way. It's about putting your best foot forward."

The Mavericks have seen mixed results since making the trade for Irving. The point guard is averaging 26.6 points, 6.8 assists and 5.0 rebounds and 37.5 minutes in his eight games with Dallas.

Going into Sunday's game, the 30-year-old is excited for the opportunity to go up against Durant given the magnitude of the matchup.

"I'm looking forward to it. Playing against the Suns, playing against the new-look Suns with KD," Irving said. "I think it'll be an exciting time just for us to compete again with each other. He's my brother for life, but when we're stepping out there, I'm looking forward to the competition, friendly competition."

The Mavericks have won two of three meetings this season with Phoenix, including a 130-111 decision on Dec. 5 in the only previous clash in Dallas.

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