Dallas Mavericks star guard Kyrie Irving eclipsed a career milestone in Wednesday’s game against the Timberwolves when he scored the 18,000th point of his sterling NBA career.
Irving entered the night sitting at 17,997. He hit a pair of free throws and then a short jumper in the first quarter to surpass the 18,000 mark. Irving finished with 38 points in the Mavericks’ 115-114 loss to the T-Wolves.
Irving is the 81st player in NBA history to hit the 18,000-point milestone. He’s currently sandwiched on the NBA’s all-time scoring list between World B. Free at No. 82 and Dave Bing at 80. Bing sits a little over 300 points ahead of Irving. Assuming health for Irving for the rest of the season (which is a big assumption for the Mavericks these days), the Mavs guard could fly through the 70s after catching Bing and even break into the high-60s on the all-time list by the end of the year. Among the names on Irving’s horizon: Julius Irving (No. 78), Tracy McGrady (77) and former Maverick Mark Aguirre (74).
Irving is currently playing his third season with Dallas and his 14th overall in the NBA. He’s posted 2,828 of his 18,001 points with the Mavericks, along with 3,062 with the Celtics, 3,879 with the Nets, and 8,232 (plus his only NBA championship) with the Cavaliers.
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