Irving entered the night just three points shy of the threshold with 17,997 career points. After a pair of free throws, he maneuvered into the paint and connected on a midrange jumper at the 7:17 mark of the first quarter. He finished with 38 points despite another loss for the injury-riddled Mavericks.

Evidently, having key players like Luka Doncic and Dereck Lively sidelined while Kyrie Irving plays through a crucial injury doesn't bode well for the Mavericks' success. While th

Irving is listed on the injury report as he continues to deal with a lumbar back sprain. Meanwhile, Dereck Lively II (right ankle sprain), Luka Doncic (left calf strain) and Dante Exum (right wrist surgery) are all out for Friday's game. It is worth noting that Mavs head coach Jason Kidd previously said he expects Irving to play on Friday.

Even without important pieces like Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Luka Doncic, Chet Holmgren, Isaiah Hartenstein and Dereck Lively II, both teams' role players simmered the beef between the ball clubs. The usually well-mannered Thunder were hit with multiple technical fouls. PJ Washington continued to poke the bear.