Irving on Mavericks’ Play-In Hopes: ‘Looks Like a Bit of a Clusterf---’

Mavericks star guard Kyrie Irving did not mince words when discussing his team’s struggles in a crowded Western Conference. 

Dallas is fighting for a play-in spot in the NBA’s postseason, and after the team’s 116–108 loss to the 76ers, Irving touched on acclimating to his new team while trying to make the playoffs.

“I think that now, again, just where we are in the season, and where other teams are positioned already, it kind of looks like a bit of a clusterf---, to be honest with you,” Irving said. “Because we’re 37–40, and we’re trying to fight to get into the play-in game. It’s not the expectations I don’t think any of us had in that locker room.”

Irving was dealt to the Mavericks in February two days after requesting a trade from the Nets. The eight-time All-Star admitted he did not expect to request a trade in the middle of the season, forcing the goals he had at the beginning of the year “to be shifted.” 

Dallas is 37–40 on the season, good enough for the No. 11 seed in the Western Conference as of Thursday morning. Though it is currently out of the play-in tournament, no team is eliminated just yet. The Mavericks are only four wins behind the No. 4 Suns (41–35).