Tuesday night, Kyrie Irving and the Dallas Mavericks took over Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse, pitting the Cavaliers against one of the best players to ever put on a uniform.

Ultimately, the Cavaliers emerged victorious with a thrilling 121-119 triumph thanks to a buzzer-beating 3-pointer from outside half court made by small player Max Strus.

Since his return to Cleveland on December 26, 2022, as a member of the Brooklyn Nets, Irving had not faced the Cavaliers in a game. Irving, the Cavaliers’ first-round selection in the 2011 NBA Draft, led the Nets with 32 points during their 125-117 victory.

Irving was moved by the Nets to the Mavericks, his fourth NBA team, less than two months later. The Boston Celtics, who signed Irving in 2017 after he asked to be traded from the Cavaliers, was his alternative destination.

Irving is tired of being LeBron James’ second fiddle in Cleveland. While most Cavs fans weren’t overly fond of Irving after his sudden departure, his departure won’t be able to undo the iconic 3-pointer he made in the closing seconds of Game 7 of the 2016 NBA Finals.

The Cavs won their lone title by defeating the Golden State Warriors 93-89, mostly because to Irving’s clutch shot. Naturally, the victory put an end to Cleveland’s major professional sports teams’ nearly 52-year title drought.

The Cavs (38-19) defeated the Mavericks (33-25) 113-110 on December 27 in Dallas in their most recent meeting. Irving’s heel issue prevented him from playing.

Aside from the Irving narrative, the Mavs gave the Cavs a solid exhibition, particularly with Irving and five-time All-Star guard Luka Doncic in the lineup. This season, the Cavs are 14-17 against clubs above.500 and 24-2 against opponents below.500.

With 31 points, All-Star guard Donovan Mitchell led the Cavaliers. Strus put in 21.

Irving scored 30 points, while Doncic finished with a game-high 45 points.