Brooklyn Nets point guard Kyrie Irving breaks out the filthy hesitation handle and finishes with an easy layup against the Memphis Grizzlies on October 27, 2019.

Kyrie Irving

Kyrie Irving gives defense fits with change of pace and handle

The long wait came to an end — thanks to Kyrie Irving and one of the biggest shots in NBA Finals history, the Cleveland Cavaliers finally joined the ranks of world champions in 2016, snapping a drought that dated back to the franchise’s inception in 1970. The team’s hopes of pulling off the feat looked bleak after falling into a 3-1 series hole against the 73-win defending champion Golden State Warriors, but Irving and company forced Game 7 thanks to convincing victories in Games 5 and 6. With the game deadlocked at 89 in the fourth quarter, the 2012 Rookie of the Year dribbled around a screen until he was one-on-one with two-time MVP Steph Curry. Keeping Curry at bay with evasive handles until it was his time to strike, Irving pulled up from 25 feet and buried an iconic go-ahead 3-pointer with 53 seconds remaining to silence a stunned home crowd. The shot heard round the NBA world capped an epic night and series for Irving, who shot 10 for 23 for 26 points to go with six rebounds in Cleveland’s unforgettable 93-89 win on June 19, 2016. Irving averaged 27.1 points per game in the series on better than 40 percent shooting from downtown as the Cavs became the first team to rally from a 3-1 deficit and win in the Finals.

Kyrie Irving breaks Game 7 tie with iconic three in 2016 Finals

Don’t get it twisted, Kyrie Irving can get above the rim when he wants to. The Brooklyn Nets guard spins past a defender in the corner, drives baseline, then leaps up to plant a two-handed slam on the New Orleans Pelicans. The seven-time All-Star celebrated the April 7, 2021 hoop by pointing into the crowd as he dropped off the rim.

Kyrie Irving dunks along the baseline, points to family from rim

What a dish! Brooklyn Nets point guard Kyrie Irving throws an incredible bounce pass to teammate Spencer Dinwiddie for the easy bucket against the Boston Celtics on December 25, 2020. Irving went off for 37 points, 8 assists, and 6 rebounds in the much hyped Christmas Day clash between the two Eastern Conference powerhouses – his first game back in Boston's TD Garden since joining the Brooklyn Nets in 2019. 

Kyrie Irving zips side arm pass up floor in transition on Christmas Day

It took 11 seasons and part of a 12th, but Kyrie Irving finally secured his first game-winning buzzer-beater. Irving walked it off against the Toronto Raptors when he eluded Fred VanVleet’s defense just long enough following an inbounds pass to create enough separation to launch a step-back 3-pointer that delivered the Brooklyn Nets their fifth consecutive victory. Irving scored a team-high 32 points on 13 of 22 from the field and mixed in three rebounds and five assists in the 119-116 triumph on December 16, 2022. Named an All-Star for the eighth time in 2023, Irving has now made multiple appearances for three different teams — Brooklyn, the Boston Celtics and Cleveland Cavaliers — while his 32 points and 15 assists in the 2023 All-Star Game were both records for a Dallas Mavericks player.

Kyrie Irving sinks Raptors with game-winning three at the buzzer

Kyrie Irving’s feel for the game is unmatched. The prolific Brooklyn Nets guard attacks the rim against the Atlanta Hawks, ducks under his defender and banks home a meticulously spun reverse layup off glass on January 27, 2021.

Kyrie Irving buries acrobatic up-and-under layup high off glass

Where were you the night Kyrie Irving went supernova? After torching the Orlando Magic for an unforgettable 41-point first half, the Brooklyn Nets guard kept the offensive clinic rolling, capping the March 15, 2022 triumph off with a seamless pull-up triple for his 60th point of the night not even half way through the fourth quarter. Irving’s career high matched the highest point total for any NBA player in 2021-22 and he did so in just 35 minutes of action on 20-of-31 shooting from the field.

Kyrie Irving erupts for career high and Nets franchise record 60 points

This man can handle the rock! Superstar point guard Kyrie Irving of the Brooklyn Nets shows off his full arsenal of tricks with a natsy spin move and lightning quick through-the-legs dribble on his way to the rim for the pretty layup against the Golden State Warriors on December 22, 2020. Irving led his team in scoring in the opening night game, finishing with 26 points, 4 rebounds, and 4 assists.

Kyrie Irving attacks off dribble for points in the paint

Gimme that! Brooklyn Nets superstar guard Kyrie Irving strips the rock and drains the deep three to beat the buzzer against the Chicago Bulls on January 31, 2020.

Kyrie Irving strips ball carrier, beats buzzer with triple in 54-point night

Send your best one-on-one defenders at Kyrie Irving and, inevitably, the Brooklyn Nets star has some sort of dribble move to overcome them. Fighting off a pick-and-roll trap, the supremely-talented guard splits between the two with a nifty stop-and-go crossover before gathering for a powerful layup finish against multiple Miami Heat defenders. Up to the challenge against one of the NBA’s premier defenses, Irving led a short-handed lineup on February 12, 2022, finishing with 29 points, five rebounds, five assists, two steals and a block.

Kyrie Irving takes on all five defenders, caps off dribbling clinic with bucket

Marketplace

Kyrie Irving

Kyrie Irving

Kyrie Irving

Kyrie Irving

Kyrie Irving

Kyrie Irving

Kyrie Irving

Kyrie Irving

Kyrie Irving

Kyrie Irving

Kyrie Irving

Kyrie Irving