Irving and Flagg score 64 in road win over Miami

Sixty-four points. That is the total output from the Dallas Mavericks' new primary backcourt pairing during a recent stretch of games, a figure that includes a 47-point, 17-assist combination on Monday night in Miami. The team won that road contest, with rookie Cooper Flagg finishing with 29 points, six rebounds, 11 assists, five steals, and three blocks. One of those blocks came in the final minute, stopping Andrew Wiggins from hitting a potential game-winning corner three-pointer.

The pairing has been in the works for over a year. Kyrie Irving, 34, organized an informal minicamp in Southern California in early September to build chemistry with his teammates. The session included head coach Dusty May and staff, focusing on basketball workouts and beach yoga. Irving, who has not played a game for Dallas in more than 18 months due to a torn left ACL, described his relationship with Flagg as a partnership with his "19-year-old co-pilot."

Irving has been a leader in the locker room since arriving by trade in February 2023, despite playing just 130 games in a Mavericks uniform. He is now the team's longest-serving player after Dwight Powell was waived in the preseason, ending a 12-year run. Irving called his time in Dallas "a little bit chaotic at times" but served as a steady presence during the organization's recent turmoil. That turmoil included the firing of general manager Nico Harrison last November and the trade of Luka Doncic, which sparked fan outrage.

The front office has since been overhauled, with Masai Ujiri hired as team president in May. Ujiri expressed "huge curiosity" about the Irving-Flagg dynamic, which was delayed last season by Irving's injury. The two have trained together since the summer, with Flagg often working with the rehabbing star during practices. Flagg, who averaged 21.0 points and 4.5 assists as a rookie, said Irving "just makes it easy to play with him."

Early results have been mixed but promising. In the season opener, Houston trapped Irving, leading to a 128-110 loss to the Rockets. Flagg scored 32 points in that game, and Kevin Durant later noted, "Kyrie is that dangerous." Irving is currently on a minutes restriction. In Friday's win over Indiana, the duo combined for 27 points and eight assists in the first half as Dallas built a 35-point lead. Flagg left late in the second quarter with a mild left shoulder sprain after a flagrant foul.

Trade questions continue to surround Irving, who has a $42.4 million player option for next season. Dallas does not control its first-round pick for the next four years, and league sources expect a strong market for the eight-time All-Star. Irving said he is "in love with this place" and wants no distractions, stating, "we need everybody rowing in the same direction." Ujiri was equally clear on the team's stance, saying, "We truly believe in [Irving]."

The Mavericks next face a new challenge as they integrate the duo into the regular season schedule. Flagg has returned to the lineup after his shoulder injury, and the team will look to extend their winning streak. The front office will monitor the pairing's performance closely as they navigate the first few weeks of the campaign.