Richard Jefferson on Kyrie Irving's Impact for Dallas Mavericks
Richard Jefferson emphasizes Kyrie Irving's crucial role for the Dallas Mavericks, especially in supporting rookie Cooper Flagg.
Challenging Start to the 2025-26 Season
The Mavericks' 2025-26 NBA campaign has started poorly. Despite securing the top overall draft pick and selecting Cooper Flagg, the promising rookie has yet to make a significant impact on the team's success. The Mavericks stand at a 2-5 record, ranking second-worst in the Western Conference.
Impact of Kyrie Irving's Absence
Irving's absence at the start of the season, due to ongoing rehabilitation from an ACL injury sustained last season, has left a void at point guard. The team enlisted D’Angelo Russell as a temporary replacement, but ultimately trusted Flagg to handle the role.
Cooper Flagg's Performance So Far
While Flagg has the potential, his current performance reflects some struggles. He is averaging 13.6 points and 6.3 rebounds per game, shooting 38.8% from the field. Jefferson believes these stats will improve once Irving returns.
“Those numbers could certainly increase with Irving on the court,” Jefferson explains.
Jefferson's Outlook
Jefferson anticipates that Kyrie Irving's return will significantly boost the Mavericks' dynamics and enable Cooper Flagg to perform at his highest level.
Author's summary: Richard Jefferson believes Kyrie Irving’s return from injury will unlock Cooper Flagg’s full potential, improving the Dallas Mavericks' struggling start to the season.