Kyrie Irving

It takes a rare set of circumstances for a team to be both short and shorthanded, but as they entered February 12, 2025’s matchup with no starter taller than 6-foot-7, such was the reality for the Dallas Mavericks. Ever the leader, Kyrie Irving knew that there was only one thing to do: come up big in crunchtime. Only a few sequences shy of pairing his dynamite offensive performance with a victory, Irving enters attack mode, using a subtle ball fake to disorient Jimmy Butler before squaring his feet. Re-introducing the Golden State Warriors to a nightmare combination — the end-of-game shot clock, and a pull-up from the right 3-point slot — the nine-time All-Star cashes in, putting Dallas ahead by three with under a minute to play. Already solidified in his reputation as a clutch performer, Irving used timely plays, including a charge on the opposite end to enhance a 42-point (on 15-of-25 shooting) outburst, alongside seven rebounds, one steal, and seven 3-pointers in the win.